Right ventricular hypertrophy

Right ventricular hypertrophy
Classification and external resources

Right Ventricular hypertrophy
ICD-10 I51.7
ICD-9 429.3
DiseasesDB 11623
MeSH D017380

Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) is a form of ventricular hypertrophy affecting the right ventricle.

Blood travels through the right ventricle to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries. If conditions occur which decrease pulmonary circulation, meaning blood does not flow well from the heart to the lungs, extra stress can be placed on the right ventricle. This can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy.

It can affect ECG findings. An ECG with right ventricular hypertrophy may or may not show a right axis deviation on the ECG.[1]

Contents

Causes

Common causes include:

ECG findings

General ECG features include:

Right axis deviation (>90 degrees) 
Tall R-waves in RV leads; deep S-waves in LV leads 
Slight increase in QRS duration 
ST-T changes directed opposite to QRS direction (i.e., wide QRS/T angle) 
May see incomplete RBBB pattern or qR pattern in V1 
Evidence of right atrial enlargement (RAE)
Specific ECG features (assumes normal calibration of 1 mV = 10 mm):
Any one or more of the following (if QRS duration <0.12 sec):
Right axis deviation (>90 degrees) in presence of disease capable of causing RVH 
R in aVR > 5 mm, or 
R in aVR > Q in aVR
Any one of the following in lead V1:
R/S ratio > 1 and negative T wave 
qR pattern 
R > 6 mm, or S < 2mm, or rSR' with R' >10 mm
Other chest lead criteria:
R in V1 + S in V5 (or V6) 10 mm
R/S ratio in V5 or V6 < 1
R in V5 or V6 < 5 mm
S in V5 or V6 > 7 mm
ST segment depression and T wave inversion in right precordial leads is usually seen in severe RVH such as in pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary hypertension.

References

  1. ^ "Lesson VIII - Ventricular Hypertrophy". http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/ecg_outline/Lesson8/index.html#RVH. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  2. ^ Sect. 4, Ch. 7: Acclimatization to High Altitude

External links