HEART AND TECHY-RIGHT VENTRICULAR SIZE AND FUNCTION ASSESSMENT ECHO-PART 1
RIGHT VENTRICLE SIZE AND FUNCTION IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY The right ventricle is a complex three-dimensional shape. Echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle is more difficult than that of left ventricle because of the complex geometry and is divided into two parts : the inflow tract and the outflow tract, separated by the crista supraventricular. Echocardiographic imaging of RV function and measurement of ejection fraction has been difficult because of the complex form and motion pattern of the RV and problems with defining the endocardial surface of the thin RV free wall. Another important factor that complicates the interpretation of RV function is the varying loading conditions. In daily cardiology practice, RV function has traditionally been evaluated qualitatively by 2D echocardiography. QUALITATIVE PARAMETERS TO ASSESS THE RV SIZE IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: A standard apical four-chamber is best to assess RV size compared with t