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Imaging the right heart pulmonary circulation unit: Insights from advanced ultrasound techniques
Author(s) -
Ferrara Francesco,
Gargani Luna,
Ostenfeld Ellen,
D'Alto Michele,
Kasprzak Jaroslaw,
Voilliot Damien,
SeltonSuty Christine,
Vriz Olga,
Marra Alberto M.,
Argiento Paola,
Stanziola Anna A.,
Cittadini Antonio,
D'Andrea Antonello,
Bossone Eduardo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/echo.13594
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , pulmonary hypertension , ultrasound , gold standard (test) , hemodynamics , right heart catheterization , doppler echocardiography , radiology , diastole , blood pressure
The right heart pulmonary circulation unit ( RH ‐ PCU ) is a key determinant of prognosis in several cardiorespiratory diseases. Although right heart catheterization is considered the gold standard for pulmonary hemodynamic assessment, a comprehensive cardiovascular ultrasound approach is an essential step in the diagnostic–prognostic clinical pathway of patients with suspect or overt pulmonary hypertension. The exponential development of advanced ultrasound techniques (strain, 3‐dimensional echocardiography and lung ultrasound) has led to new insights into the evaluation of RH ‐ PCU structure and function, overcoming some limitations of standard Doppler echocardiography. In the near future, exercise Doppler echocardiography may become a useful technique for detecting a latent stage of pulmonary hypertension and for evaluating right ventricular contractile reserve.