Right heart involvement in haematologic disorders

Abstract

Haematologic patients are set apart by specific complications like immunosuppression, thrombocytopenia, sometimes associating coagulopathy and multiple points of entry for infection (central venous catheters and mucositis). The right-sided heart is of particular importance in this type of patients as it is the preferred location of both primary and secondary cardiac tumours and is more frequently affected by radiation therapy due to its more anterior position in the thorax. Chemotherapeutics may determine pulmonary hypertension and thus put a strain on the right ventricle. Moreover, investigation of right-heart parameters like tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and strain rate may reveal early cardiac dysfunction and establish prognosis in cardiac amyloidosis.