The Imaging of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Heart Failure

In patients with heart failure, right ventricular (RV) function is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, non-invasive assessment of the RV is a challenging task due to its complex anatomy and location in the chest.Moreover, the high load dependency of RV function can also lead to inaccurate or misleading interpretation of intrinsic RV function parameters if they are taken in isolation form RV pre- and afterload conditions. No single imaging modality is able to provide a comprehensive assessment of RV global and regional functions, mechanics, shape and tissue structure. Accordingly, a multimodality and multiparameteric approach is recommended. The following chapter summarizes currently available data on the role of non-invasive imaging techniques in the assessment of RV performance, their advantages, limitations and pitfalls in heart failure patients, with an emphasis on the relative merits of newer imaging parameters and practical approach to data acquisition and analysis.