Regional myocardial wall motion detection by M-mode and tissue Doppler velocities are currently the most useful echocardiographic methods for clinical assessment of right ventricular function.
Which echocardiographic techniques are most useful for assessing right ventricular function in clinical practice?
This review highlights that M-mode and tissue Doppler velocities remain the most practical echocardiographic tools for assessing right ventricular function, while advanced techniques like strain and 4D echo need further validation.
Assessment of right heart function remains difficult despite rapid technological echocardiographic developments. This review addresses the anatomical and physiological basis for assessment of right ventricular function. It also addresses advantages and limitations of individual echocardiographic techniques currently used in clinical and academic practice. The review concludes that volume calculation and estimation of ejection fraction is not ideal for clinical assessment of right ventricular function. Regional myocardial wall motion detection by M-mode and tissue Doppler velocities are probably the best useful methods in clinical practice. 1D and 2D strain, velocity vector imaging and 4D echocardiography need further evaluation before considering them as routine investigations. A global interest needs to be given to a very important neglected entity, 'right ventricle', which has been shown to predict exercise tolerance and outcome in a number of syndromes.
Lindqvist et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Right ventricular function assessment. Echocardiography techniques was evaluated. Regional myocardial wall motion detection by M-mode and tissue Doppler velocities are currently the most useful echocardiographic methods for clinical assessment of right ventricular function.