Key Points
- To examine morphological remodeling of right ventricular myocytes during the progressive phases of hypertrophy and heart failure driven by pulmonary hypertension.
- Divided male Sprague-Dawley rats into two groups receiving either monocrotaline to induce pulmonary hypertension (Group M) or physiological saline as a control (Group C).
- Evaluated right ventricular myocyte morphology, specifically cell volume, cross-sectional area, and cell length, at weeks 2, 5, and 7 post-injection.
- No significant difference in myocyte morphology was observed between Group M and Group C at week 2.
- At week 5, right ventricular cell volume and cross-sectional area were significantly greater in Group M than in Group C.
- At week 7, right ventricular cell volume, cross-sectional area, and cell length were all significantly greater in Group M compared to Group C.
Structured PICO
PPopulation45 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g
IInterventionMonocrotaline (MCT) 40 mg/kg subcutaneous injection
CComparatorPhysiological saline subcutaneous injection
OOutcomeRight ventricular myocyte remodeling (cell volume, cell length, and cross-sectional area)surrogate
Right ventricular myocytes undergo hypertrophy (increased cross-sectional area) followed by lengthening during the transition to failure in response to pulmonary hypertension, similar to left ventricular remodeling.
Limitations
- Unable to obtain accurate measurements of the weights of the left ventricle, ventricular septum, and right ventricle since the hearts were removed and immediately perfused with medium containing collagenase
- Did not monitor pulmonary arterial pressure