Ventricle

There are 4 chambers in the heart and the lower two chambers are called the ventricles. They are blood discharging chambers.

Function:

The right ventricle receives 'impure' or oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium (upper chamber) whereas the left ventricle receives ‘pure’ or oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium. When the ventricles contract, ‘impure’ blood from the right ventricle is pumped into the lungs and ‘pure’ blood from the left ventricle is pumped into rest of the body.

What could go wrong with the ventricles:

a. Ventricular arrhythmia: irregular, faster, or slower than normal heartbeat occurring in the ventricles

b. Ventricular escape beat: electrical discharge generated and initiated by ventricles causing it to contract prematurely

c. Ventricular fibrillation: uncoordinated contraction of the ventricles. It is the most common cause of heart attack.

d. Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD): deficiency of the septum between the atria and ventricles of the heart. There is ‘unbalanced’ blood flow within the heart also and backflow of blood into the atria.

e. Ventricular septal defect (VSD): There could be a hole between the right and left ventricles causing the 'pure' and 'impure' blood to mix.

Diagnostic methods for conditions associated with ventricle include physical examination, auscultation, blood tests, ultrasonography, ECG, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, etc.

Correction of heart rhythm or slowing the heart rate may be achieved by medications.  Remedies also include defibrillation, cardiac pacing, precordial thump, cardioversion, etc. Surgical or percutaneous closure may be used for septal defect.