Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Published on: June 27, 2025
Right ventricle in pulmonary hypertension
Norbert F Voelkel1, Ramesh Natarajan, Jennifer I Drake
1Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Victoria Johnson Center for Pulmonary Obstructive Disease Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA. nvoelkel@mcvh-vcu.edu
Abstract:
During heart development chamber specification is controlled and directed by a number of genes and a fetal heart gene expression pattern is revisited during heart failure. In the setting of chronic pulmonary hypertension the right ventricle undergoes hypertrophy, which is likely initially adaptive, but often followed by decompensation, dilatation and failure. Here we discuss differences between the right ventricle and the left ventricle of the heart and begin to describe the cellular and molecular changes which characterize right heart failure. A prevention and treatment of right ventricle failure becomes a treatment goal for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension it follows that we need to understand the pathobiology of right heart hypertrophy and the transition to right heart failure.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Chambers of the Heart
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Overview of Systemic and Pulmonary Circulation
The oxygenated blood is sent...
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

