What does RVF mean in CARDIOLOGY

Meaning

RVF stands for Right Ventricular Failure. It is a cardiovascular disorder where there is a weakness in the function of the right ventricle, resulting in an inability to properly pump blood out of the right side of the heart. This can occur as a result of an underlying condition such as pneumonia or coronary artery disease. As it begins to affect other organs it can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain and swelling in your legs and ankles due to fluid build up known as edema.

Causes

There are several conditions that can lead to RVF including pulmonary embolism, chronic lung diseases (COPD), congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathy among others. Some medications may also increase your risk for developing this condition such as those used to treat high blood pressure or arrhythmias or certain chemotherapy drugs. Other factors that may predispose someone to RVF include smoking cigarettes or having diabetes mellitus with associated poor control.

Diagnosis

To diagnose RVF your healthcare provider will review your family history and past medical records along with performing a physical exam looking for signs such as abnormal breathing patterns or decreased oxygen saturation levels when measuring your pulse oximetry readings at rest. Additionally they will order imaging tests such as echocardiograms (ECG) or cardiac MRI scans which will allow them to view inside your heart chambers enabling them to determine how well each chamber is working together. Furthermore they may also draw fluid from around your heart area which is called pericardial sac aspirates in order to check for any inflammation or infection present. If necessary further testing such as electrocardiography (EKG) may be conducted as well.

Treatment

Treatment for RVF typically depends on what has caused its onset in the first place but most commonly involves lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking complete resting if necessary dietary modifications all while taking prescribed medications designed increase blood flow throughout the entire body while preventing fluid retention within certain organs. At times more aggressive treatment options like angioplasty stents pacemakers implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) mechanical circulatory support devices like ventricular assist devices (VADs) or even surgical intervention may be recommended depending on severity of patient's current clinical state.