Right Ventricular Function

Functional assessment of the right ventricle (RV) is challenging and has been understudied compared with the left ventricle. However, advances in echocardiographic assessment of RV function permit the quantitative assessment of RV performance via numerous modalities. Many RV function indices have now been studied in large samples of healthy dogs, and studies suggest a clinical benefit to echocardiographic RV function assessment in dogs and cats. This article reviews relevant RV anatomy and physiology and highlights numerous indices of RV function assessment for dogs and cats. Imaging techniques, advantages and disadvantages, and clinical impact of these indices are discussed.