RV Dysfunction and Sepsis

Point-of-care ultrasound assessment of the right ventricle (RV) can be fraught with challenges owing to its unique structure and function. Yet having a robust basic approach to the acquisition and interpretation of RV imaging at the bedside of the critically ill can go a long way in helping answer complex clinical questions - often when you least expect it. In this screencast, Dr. Max Deschner and Dr. Dimitar Saveski walk us through a case of RV dysfunction complicating pneumosepsis, and discuss the approach they used to reach consensus on recommendations for next steps in management. We hope you come away from this screencast with a better appreciation that the RV isn’t just a sidekick to the LV, but a unique cavity with complex pathophysiology.