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Management of Acute Right Ventricular Failure

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Acute right ventricular failure (RVF) is a frequent condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. This review aims to provide a current overview of the pathophysiology, presentation, and comprehensive management of acute RVF.

Recent Findings

Acute RVF is a common disease with a pathophysiology that is not completely understood. There is renewed interest in the right ventricle (RV). Some advances have been principally made in chronic right ventricular failure (e.g., pulmonary hypertension). Due to a lack of precise definition and diagnostic tools, acute RVF is poorly studied. Few advances have been made in this field.

Summary

Acute RVF is a complex, frequent, and life-threatening condition with several etiologies. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the key diagnostic tool in search of the etiology. Management includes transfer to an expert center and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in most severe cases, etiological treatment, and general measures for RVF.

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Data Availability

The dataset generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Correspondence to Benjamin Deniau.

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Pr. Mebazaa reports personal fees from Orion, Roche, Adrenomed, and Fire 1 and grants and personal fees from 4TEEN4, Abbott, Roche, and Sphyngotec. Dr. Deniau was invited to a meeting in Henningsdorf by 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The remaining authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research authorship and/or publication of this article. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Asakage, A., Bækgaard, J., Mebazaa, A. et al. Management of Acute Right Ventricular Failure. Curr Heart Fail Rep 20, 218–229 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11897-023-00601-5

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