6. Conclusions
Acute RVD/RVF is seen with increasing frequency in the intensive care unit and causes or aggravates many common critical diseases.
Bedside echocardiography assessment and invasive hemodynamic monitoring remain the most valuable methods to diagnose and to guide a rationale therapy of acute RVD/ RVF in critically ill patients.
General precautionary measures, early diagnosis of RVD, and etiology-specific therapy may reduce the appearance of RVF. Supportive therapies focused on improving RV function via optimization of preload, enhancing contractility, and reducing afterload are the key principles in the management of acute RVF.
Future research should focus on better understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of acute RV cardiac dysfunction to develop novel therapies that directly target the injured myocardium.