Right ventricular function after cardiac surgery: the diagnostic and prognostic role of echocardiography

• Published in: Heart failure reviews Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 625 - 635
• Main Authors: Mandoli, Giulia Elena, Cameli, Matteo, Novo, Giuseppina, Agricola, Eustachio, Righini, Francesca Maria, Santoro, Ciro, D’Ascenzi, Flavio, Ancona, Francesco, Sorrentino, Regina, D’Andrea, Antonello, Galderisi, Maurizio, Mondillo, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiac Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Cardiac Surgical Procedures - methods; Cardiology; Echocardiography; Echocardiography - methods; Electrocardiography; Heart; Heart failure; Heart rate; Heart surgery; Heart Ventricles - physiopathology; Humans; Hypotheses; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pathophysiology; Pericardium; Prognosis; Pulmonary hypertension; Ventricle; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right - diagnostic imaging; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right - physiopathology; Echocardiography; Prognosis; Cardiac surgery; Right ventricular function
• ISSN: 1382-4147; 1573-7322; 1573-7322
• DOI: 10.1007/s10741-019-09785-2

Cardiac surgical techniques and circulatory supports have strongly evolved in the last years. Right ventricular (RV) function during the post-operatory period is still subject of study, although its relevant prognostic impact has been variably described in different papers. RV post-surgical dysfunction’s underlying mechanisms are still not clear and include a different hypothesis. Echocardiography, with both first and second level parameters, offers the possibility to accurately analyze the right ventricle and optimize these patients’ management. This paper describes the pathophysiology of the right ventricle, the most used echo indexes of RV function, whether they alter after surgery, the different supposed mechanisms of RV dysfunction and its role in the prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.