Right Ventricular Overload

Abstract

Right ventricular systolic overload refers to an overload of systolic pressure in the right ventricle and it indicates a right ventricle that pumps more than the normal 30 mmHg while developing systolic pressure. This hemodynamic situation appears in the following conditions:

• 1. All congenital heart defects that obstruct right ventricular outflow, i.e. significant or critical pulmonary valve stenosis, pulmonary atresia, and Tetralogy of Fallot

• 2. Congenital heart defects causing pulmonary hypertension from a high pulmonary blood flow with low pulmonary vascular resistance, for example a large ventricular septal defect, double-outlet right ventricle, complete form of atrioventricular septal defect, total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage

• 3. Congenital heart defects complicated by pulmonary artery hypertension due to progressive structural abnormalities in the pulmonary vascular bed, i.e. obstructive pulmonary vascular disease.