Echocardiographic evaluation of right heart function and pulmonary vascular bed

The aim of this review was to describe the different ultrasonic modalities to non-invasively evaluate right cardiac chambers and pulmonary vascular bed function. M-Mode, 2-D, conventional pulsed doppler, tissue doppler imaging (TDI), strain rate imaging (SRI) and 3D echocardiography are illustrated in order to obtain both regional and global right heart and pulmonary function. The results have a good correlation with other invasive and non-invasive diagnostic techniques, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All these echocardiograpic techniques can be employed to evaluate the morphologic and functional pictures of right heart and pulmonary circulation in presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The hemodynamic profile obtained consent to anatomically and functionally characterize PH. But, other experiences performed on more wide range of healthy and PH patients are necessary to confirm the described results.