Over the last decade, a few studies have highlighted the crucial role of right ventricular (RV) function in hemodynamic and respiratory diseases in critical care 1,2. However, RV failure is difficult to define in the critical care setting. A recent consensual definition proposed by different groups of experts characterizes RV failure as the association of a significant RV dilatation associated with systemic congestion 3-5. This definition is mainly physiologically based, not strictly validated, and the experts did not propose any threshold for RV size or congestion using critical care echocardiography (CCE) and central venous pressure (CVP), respectively.~Fluid management in septic shock is crucial for prognosis, as fluid overload and high CVP are associated with a worse outcome 6. Septic shock is expected to impair RV function through the development of septic cardiomyopathy, but the incidence of RV failure is unknown.
Assesment of right ventricular dysfunction in septic shock patients in intensive care unit.