title: Echocardiographic Evaluation of the Right Heart.
abstract: The appropriate use of echocardiography may reduce the need for invasive diagnostic cardiac procedures. The right side of the heart has recently gained interest among cardiologists as it became clear that abnormalities of the right heart morphology and function are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography is easy to perform, relatively cheap, readily available and do not pose the risk of ionizing radiation. Conventional 2D and, more recently, 3D echocardiography provides pertinent anatomic and physiologic information about the right side of the heart. Because of the advantages and simplicity of echocardiography it continues to be an excellent tool for evaluating the structure and function of the right side of the heart. This review outlines the uses of echocardiography in evaluating the right heart structure and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Roshanak R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Markley
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.; Department of Medicine, McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.; Department of Medicine, McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Potfay
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.; Department of Medicine, McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Ion S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Jovin
keywords: Echocardiography; Right heart; Right ventricle