Abstract:

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction frequently occurs in critically ill patients. Common conditions associated with RV dysfunction encountered by the intensivist include acute cor pulmonale, sepsis, severe left ventricular (LV) failure, and RV infarction. Echocardiography is an invaluable tool that allows quick and accurate assessment of RV function at the bedside. Serial echocardiographic evaluation also permits dynamic monitoring of the RV function to assess for disease progression or response to therapy.

This review describes simple methods of two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic evaluation of RV function as relevant to the most commonly encountered clinical scenarios in the intensive care unit (ICU). To perform this evaluation, the clinician requires only basic ultrasound skills. Advanced echocardiographic assessment, such as application of Doppler analysis, is beyond the scope of this article.