The Failing Right Heart: The Neglected Ventricle?

摘要

We read with great interest the editorial by John Vincent in the October 2013 issue of the Journal, which provides an excellent overview of the pathophysiology and treatment of heart failure, focusing on left-ventricular (LV) failure. We would like to add additional thoughts concerning right-ventricular (RV) failure, a condition more common in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). About 9 in 1,000 children are born with CHD-a total of 1,350,000 affected newborns each year worldwide. Achievements in congenital cardiac surgery and pediatric intensive care enable more CHD patients to reach adult age (estimated prevalence 4 in 1,000 adults), challenging their long-term management.