User:Biosthmors/Right heart strain

Right heart strain (or right ventricular strain) is a clinical finding of right ventricular dysfunction where the right ventricle is enlarged and rounder than typical. It can be as large as or larger than the left ventricle when strained, while when normal it is about half the size of the left ventricle. Right heart strain can be caused by pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism (PE), right ventricular infarction, chronic lung disease, and pulmonotic stenosis.

If visualizing the heart by ultrasound, the A4C view is best to visualize right heart strain. On EKG, right heart strain can be indicated through a finding of S1Q3T3. Right heart strain can also be visualized by a CT scan of the chest. The McConnell sign on ECHO is highly specific for right heart strain and when present, typically indicates a large PE.