Echocardiographic evaluation of right heart function and pulmonary vascular bed

Abstract

The aim of this review was to describe the different ultrasonic modalities to non-invasively evaluate right cardiac chambers and pulmonary vascular bed function. M-Mode, 2-D, conventional pulsed doppler, tissue doppler imaging (TDI), strain rate imaging (SRI) and 3D echocardiography are illustrated in order to obtain both regional and global right heart and pulmonary function. The results have a good correlation with other invasive and non-invasive diagnostic techniques, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All these echocardiograpic techniques can be employed to evaluate the morphologic and functional pictures of right heart and pulmonary circulation in presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The hemodynamic profile obtained consent to anatomically and functionally characterize PH. But, other experiences performed on more wide range of healthy and PH patients are necessary to confirm the described results.

Echocardiographic signs of right ventricle changes after Trastuzumab treatment in breast cancer patients with erb-2 overexpression

“…Increased E/e’ values correspond to increased RV filling pressures. It has been shown by right heart catheterization studies that there is a direct correlation between E/e’, right atrial volume and RV diastolic filling pressures (26). In our study, E/e’ ratio was increased after trastuzumab treatment.…”

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on right ventricle function and pulmonary artery pressure in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy

“…The relationship between ATH and other diseases such as cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders was reported in previous studies [1][2][3][4]. It is well known that ATH is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory tract obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypoxia in children [2].…”

“…RV MPI has been found to be clinically useful to define RV function [3]. MPI is a new echocardiographic parameter which correlates with invasive measurements and has been used to evaluate both systolic and diastolic functions.…”

“…It can be measured from the valve annulus with pulsed-wave TDE, and is not affected by cardiac rate, blood pressure, or ventricular geometry [26,27]. MPI is prolonged in patients with PH compared with normal subjects [3]. El-Damarawy et al [28] demonstrated that MPI had high efficacy, sensitivity and positively predicted values in defining RV dysfunction.…”

Trimetazidine improves right ventricular function by increasing miR-21 expression

“…Echocardiographic assessment. Echocardiographic measurements were taken of the inner diameter of the RV and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as previously reported (21).…”