Echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle: Impact of the distinctly load dependency of its size, geometry and performance

Right ventricular (RV) size, shape and function are distinctly load-dependent and pulmonary load is an important determinant of RV function in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to primary impaired left ventricular function and in those with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). In a pressure overloaded RV, not only dilation and aggravation of tricuspid regurgitation, but also systolic dysfunction leading to RV failure (RVF)...