Importance of the right ventricle in valvular heart disease

E. Nagel, M. Stuber, O. M. Hess

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

The importance of the right ventricle as a determinant of clinical symptoms, exercise capacity, peri-operative survival and postoperative outcome has been underestimated for a long time. Right ventricular ejection fraction has been used as a measure of right ventricular function but has been found to be dependent on loading conditions, ventricular interaction as well as on myocardial structure. Altered left ventricular function in patients with valvular disease influences right ventricular performance mainly by changes in afterload but also by ventricular interaction. Right ventricular function and regional wall motion can be determined with right ventricular angiography, radionuclide ventriculography, two-dimensional echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, the complex structure of the right ventricle and its pronounced translational movements render quantification difficult. True regional wall motion analysis is, however, possible with myocardial tagging based on magnetic resonance techniques. With this technique a baso-apical shear motion of the right ventricle was observed which was enhanced in patients with aortic stenosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-836
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean heart journal
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Myocardial tagging
  • Postoperative changes
  • Pulmonary artery pressure
  • Right ventricle
  • Valve disease
  • Ventricular function
  • Ventricular interaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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