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right ventricular failure

An weakening of the right ventricle that results in the back up of blood in the venous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract and extremities. The causes of this condition include left-sided congestive heart failure, emphysema, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, anaemia, hyperthyroidism, cor pulmonale and congenital heart disease. Risk factors include diabetes, alcoholism, obesity and smoking.

symptoms include swelling of the feet and ankles, nocturia, increased distention of neck veins, fatigue, weakness and fainting, ascites, arrhythmias and pleural effusions are complications of right ventricular failure.