Right Ventricular Failure

Clinical Presentation of Right Ventricular Failure

Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Anorexia / nausea (liver congestion)

Signs

  • Peripheral cyanosis
  • Reduced pulse strength (tachycardia)
  • Raised JVP – Kussmaul’s; large “V” wave
  • Right ventricular heave
  • Right-ventricular third heart sound (S3)
  • Tricuspid Incompetence (functional)
  • Hepatomegaly (pulsatile)
  • Ascites ± pleural effusion
  • ankle oedema

Causes of Right Ventricular Failure (RVF)

  • Left Ventricular Failure
  • Pressure Load
    • Pulmonary Hypertension
    • Pulmonary Stenosis
  • Volume Load
    • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
    • Tricuspid Incompetence
    • Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
  • Myocardial disease
    • Right Ventricular Infarction
    • Cardiomyopathy
  • Others
    • Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism
    • Chronic lung disease (CAL)
    • Mitral Stenosis

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