Recent findings: Management of acute right heart failure continues to be challenging because of insufficient understanding of its pathophysiology, a lack of guidelines, and few available tools. Recent research has contributed to an improved understanding of its mechanisms, helping to guide therapy and suggest future options. Right-ventricular assist devices are emerging as a promising approach to treatment when optimization of hemodynamics and conventional medical therapy fail.

Summary: Right heart failure causes venous congestion and systemic hypoperfusion. Once right heart failure is identified, the primary goal is to alleviate any reversible cause of excessive load or right-ventricular contractile failure. When the underlying abnormalities cannot be alleviated, trials of diuretic, vasodilator, or inotropic therapy may be required. Invasive monitoring helps guide therapy. Medically refractory right heart failure may potentially be treated with right-ventricular assist devices.

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