Key result
Anthracyclines and other chemotherapy agents impair right ventricular function, warranting routine RV assessment.
Why the study?
The right ventricle has often been considered the forgotten chamber of the heart, prompting a review to examine chemotherapy-induced right ventricular failure.
Routine assessment of right ventricular function is crucial for early detection of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, allowing for proactive management and completion of cancer treatment.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support right ventricular monitoring in cardio-oncology; leaves open prospective validation before changing practice.
The right ventricle has been considered by many clinicians to be the “forgotten chamber” of the heart. In this narrative review of the literature, we aim to examine chemotherapy-induced right ventricular failure. We will discuss the clinical significance of the subject, the effects of chemotherapy on the heart, and why it is crucial to take a closer look at the right ventricle. We will present key aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the right ventricle and how it differs from the left ventricle. Furthermore, this review explains the mechanisms behind chemotherapy-induced right ventricular dysfunction, strategies for assessing the right ventricle, recent advancements in cardiac imaging, available treatment options, and future directions in therapeutic management.
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Crișan et al. (2026) conducted a review in Chemotherapy-induced right ventricular dysfunction. Chemotherapy was evaluated. Chemotherapy agents, particularly anthracyclines, induce significant right ventricular dysfunction, highlighting the need for routine right ventricular assessment during cardiovascular follow-up.
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