Contribution of cardiopulmonary ultrasound in monitoring disease progression and curative effect in rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Abstract Background: Right ventricle function and pulmonary edema were associated with readmission and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We investigated the role of cardiopulmonary ultrasound (CPUS) in monitoring disease progression and curative effect in rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. Methods: Totally 64 SD rats were randomly divided to control group, MCT group and PDTC group (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate). MCT groups and PDTC groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of MCT to induced PAH while control group received same amount of saline. And PDTC groups injected PDTC daily for treatment after modeling. Each group were received CPUS examination and measurement of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). Results: (1) As the PAP increased in the second week after MCT injection, rats had enlarged pulmonary artery(PA) and right atrium(RA), right ventricle(RV) function decreased, pulmonary acceleration time(PAAT) reduced with mid-systolic notching; pleural line and A-line blurred or disappeared, the number of B-line increased and pulmonary ultrasound score also increased ; in the third week, with the disease progressed, rats had enlarged RV, increased RV wall thickness and RV function decreased further; lung consolidation and air bronchogram could be found (both p＜0.05 vs control group). (2) In the second week after PDTC treatment, with the PAP decreased, rats had shrunk PA, RA and RV, RV wall thickness decreased PAAT extended and RV functions elevated; the number of B-line decreased, lung consolidation and pleural effusion were rare and the pulmonary ultrasound score decreased (both p＜0.05 vs MCT-4W group). Conclusions: In the MCT-induced rat model of PAH, CPUS changes were observed as PAP changed. There was a good correlation between the manifestations of CPUS and the severity of disease. CPUS can play an important role in monitoring the progression and efficacy of PAH, provide more evidence for the management of PAH patients and a non-invasive method in monitoring the establishment of animal models for basic and clinical studies of PAH.