The review is dedicated to the new echocardiographic techniques in the assessment of right ventricular (RV) function, such as two-dimensional speckle tracking and determining the RV volume by a three-dimensional model. Subclinical changes in RV function are of great importance for the diagnosis and assessment of prognosis of multiple cardiovascular as well as non-cardiac pathologies. Two-dimensional speckle tracking allows to assess longitudinal strain of the RV myocardium and to detect pathological changes before their clinical manifestations. Three-dimensional echocardiography enables calculation of the RV ejection fraction, what was not possible before with the use of ultrasound. Currently, both methods are promising for a comprehensive assessment of RV function.
Keywords: myocardial deformation; right ventricle; right ventricular ejection fraction; three-dimensional echocardiography.