What echo findings suggest right ventricular overload?

Right ventricular overload is indicated by specific echocardiographic findings, primarily focusing on the anatomy and function of the right ventricle. The presence of right ventricular dilation suggests that the right ventricle is being subjected to increased pressures or volumes, which can result from various conditions like pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure.

Interventricular septal flattening is another key finding associated with right ventricular overload. This phenomenon occurs due to the increased pressure in the right ventricle, which can cause the septum—the wall separating the left and right ventricles—to shift into the left ventricle during diastole. This flattening of the septal wall is a direct indication that the dynamics between the two ventricles are altered, typically due to right ventricular pressure overload.

Understanding these findings is crucial for the assessment of patients suspected of having right heart conditions, as they help in diagnosing the underlying pathophysiology that may lead to clinical manifestations like dyspnea or fatigue.