Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular function in congenital heart disease

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide an overview of conventional and novel indices used in clinical and research arenas for evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function in congenital heart diseases with a dual-chambered circulation. DATA SOURCES: Articles cited in this review were selected using PubMed search of publications in English with no date limits. The search terms included 'echocardiography', 'right ventricle', 'RV function', 'cardiac function', and 'congenital heart disease'. Key references were also searched for additional publications. STUDY SELECTION: Articles related to description of echocardiographic techniques in the evaluation of subpulmonary or systemic RV function and their applications in congenital cardiac malformations were retrieved and reviewed. RESULTS: Three approaches have been used to evaluate subpulmonary and systemic RV function: (1) assessment of changes in RV size in the cardiac cycle, (2) determination of Doppler-derived velocities and systolic and diastolic time intervals, and (3) quantification of myocardial velocities and deformation. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional and novel echocardiographic techniques enable the evaluation of subpulmonary and systemic RV function. Novel echocardiographic techniques have further allowed quantification of RV volumes and direct interrogation of myocardial deformation. These new techniques show promise in a more comprehensive evaluation beyond 'eye-balling' of RV function in the growing population of adolescent and adult congenital heart patients.