Right ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important threat to health worldwide. While left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in DCM is well recognized, the accurate detection, diagnosis, and treatment of changes in right ventricular (RV) structure and function have not been well characterized. The pathophysiology of RV dysfunction in DCM may share features with LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction, including pathways related to insulin resistance and oxidant injury, although the RV has a unique cellular origin and composition and unique biomechanical properties and is coupled to the lower-impedance pulmonary vascular bed. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms responsible for RV dysfunction in DCM and review the imaging approaches useful for early detection, protection, and intervention strategies. Additional data are required from animal models and clinical trials to better identify the onset and features of altered RV and pulmonary vascular structure and function during the onset and progression of DCM and to determine the efficacy of early detection and treatment of RV dysfunction on clinical symptoms and outcomes.