Challenges in Grading the Severity of Right Ventricular Dysfunction via Point-of-Care Echocardiography

This review discusses the current limitations of assessing the right ventricle (RV) using Point-of-Care Ultrasound, explains the challenges in describing the complexity of the RV, and provides guidance on how to use Point-of-Care Ultrasound data in clinical practice.

Assessing the RV requires assessments from multiple views and parameters due to its complex shape. Combined use of multiple ultrasound-derived measures along with clinical information from other sources is recommended. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in Point-of-Care Ultrasound and will help improve validity and consistency of measurements. Future studies are needed to examine the impact of the Point-of-Care Ultrasound exam on clinical outcomes.

Multiple challenges exist in RV assessment. Future studies and guidance are required to investigate the feasibility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in specific clinical settings, training and credentialing of examiners, and practice guidance on parameters to be used and reported.