Right ventricular mitochondrial respiratory function in a piglet model of chronic pulmonary hypertension.

Objective: We aimed to assess the mitochondrial respiratory capacities in the right ventricle in the setting of ventricular remodeling induced by pressure overload.

Methods: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension was induced in 8 piglets over a 12-week period (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension model). Right ventricular remodeling, right ventricular function, and mitochondrial respiratory function were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after induction of pulmonary hypertension and were compared with sham animals (n = 5).

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet.

An original piglet model of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) associated with chronic Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction is described. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) was induced in 3-week-old piglets by a progressive obstruction of the pulmonary vascular bed. A ligation of the left Pulmonary Artery (PA) was performed first through a mini-thoracotomy.