Serial noninvasive assessment of progressive pulmonary hypertension in a rat model.

Current methods used to investigate pulmonary hypertension in rat models of the disease allow for only one to two measurements of pulmonary artery (PA) pressure in the life of a rat. We investigated whether transthoracic echocardiography can be used to assess the progression of pulmonary hypertension in rats at multiple time points. Serial echocardiographic measurements were performed over a 6-wk period on rats injected with monocrotaline (MCT) or placebo. Development of a midsystolic notch in the PA waveform, a decrease in the PA flow acceleration time (PAAT), an increase in right ventricular (RV) free-wall thickness, and the development of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were observed as pulmonary hypertension developed. Changes in the PA waveform and PAAT began in week 3 of disease development as the PA systolic pressure (PASP) reached 25-30 mmHg according to right heart catheterization. The RV free-wall thickness increased significantly by week 5 (PASPs 40-50 mmHg). Development of quantifiable TR occurred in week 6 or at PASPs > 65 mmHg. A linear correlation was found between the PAAT and PASP in the range of 30-65 mmHg and between the RV-right atrial pressure gradient (derived from TR velocity) and PASP at pressures >65 mmHg, which enabled a noninvasive estimate of the PASP over a wide range of pressures based on these parameters. These data indicate that transthoracic echocardiography can be used for monitoring the progress of pulmonary hypertension in a rat model.