Structural alterations in right ventricle of hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats assessed by high-resolution DTI

Transgenic rats with Bmpr2 mutation is a model of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aims to evaluate structural alterations of Bmpr2-mutants associated with a risk factor (chronic hypoxia) by high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Chronic increases of pressure-loading conditions appears to be poorly tolerated by the right ventricle (RV). Indeed, chronic hypoxia groups showed a hypertrophy in RV. Moreover, DTI analysis showed disturbances in RV (myofibers and sheetlets) and this more prominently at basal level in transgenic rats. Consequently, hypoxic pulmonary hypertension can induce microstructural changes and electrophysiological remodeling, which are potentiated by Bmpr2 mutation.