Assessment of right ventricular function using echocardiographic speckle tracking of the tricuspid annular motion: Comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance

摘要

With a great interest, we read the article "Assessment of right ventricular function using echocardiographic speckle tracking of the tri-cuspid annular motion: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance" by H. Ahmad et al. The RV contracts1 by three separate mechanisms: (1) inward movement of the free wall, which produces a bellows effect; (2) contraction of the longitudinal fibers, which shortens the long axis and draws the tricuspid annulus toward the apex; and (3) traction on the free wall at the points of attachment secondary to LV contraction. Shortening of the RV is greater longitudinally than radially.