Published in:
01-09-2019 | Heart Surgery
Right ventricular function after cardiac surgery: the diagnostic and prognostic role of echocardiography
Authors:
Giulia Elena Mandoli, Matteo Cameli, Giuseppina Novo, Eustachio Agricola, Francesca Maria Righini, Ciro Santoro, Flavio D’Ascenzi, Francesco Ancona, Regina Sorrentino, Antonello D’Andrea, Maurizio Galderisi, Sergio Mondillo, On behalf of the Working Group of Echocardiography of the Italian Society of Cardiology
Published in:
Heart Failure Reviews
|
Issue 5/2019
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Abstract
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.