title: The right ventricle in cardiac surgery, a perioperative perspective: I. Anatomy, physiology, and assessment.
abstract: The importance of right ventricular (RV) function in cardiovascular disease and cardiac surgery has been recognized for several years. RV dysfunction has been shown to be a significant prognostic factor in heart failure, congenital heart disease, valvular disease, and cardiac surgery. In the first of our two articles, we will review key features of RV anatomy, physiology, and assessment. In the first article, the main discussion will be centered on the echographic assessment of RV structure and function. In the second review article, pathophysiology, clinical importance, and management of RV failure in cardiac surgery will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger St., Montreal, Quebec H1T 1C8, Canada.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Couture
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tousignant
authors.forename: André Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Denault
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004452:Echocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*