Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
10:03
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Published on: June 27, 2025
709
Sex Differences in Pulmonary Hypertension and Associated Right Ventricular Dysfunction
Janet I Ma1, Ndidi Owunna2, Louisa A Mounsey3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Sex differences impact pulmonary hypertension (PH) subtypes. Women with PH show better right ventricle (RV) function and lower heart failure hospitalization risk compared to men.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Medical Research
Background:
- Prior research indicates sex differences in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
- The influence of sex on other pulmonary hypertension (PH) hemodynamic subtypes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in PH prevalence and hemodynamic subtypes.
- To assess the association of sex with right ventricle (RV) function indices.
- To examine the relationship between sex and clinical outcomes in patients with PH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 5,208 patients undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC) from 2005-2016.
- Multivariable linear regression used to evaluate sex-based differences in RV function parameters (PAPi, RVSWI, RA:PCWP ratio).
- Cox regression models employed to determine the association between sex and clinical outcomes, including heart failure hospitalization.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in overall PH prevalence between sexes.
- Women were more likely to have precapillary PH (31% vs. 22%), while men were more likely to have postcapillary PH (51% vs. 39%).
- Female sex correlated with improved RV function (higher PAPi and RVSWI) and reduced risk of heart failure hospitalization (HR 0.83).
Conclusions:
- Significant sex-based disparities exist in PH hemodynamic subtypes, with women more often presenting with precapillary PH and men with postcapillary PH.
- Women with PH exhibit superior hemodynamic RV function compared to men.
- Female sex is associated with a lower risk of heart failure hospitalization in the PH population.
More Related Videos
08:34Left Atrial Stenosis Induced Pulmonary Venous Arterialization and Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat
Published on: November 18, 2018
7.6K
07:38Comprehensive Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Published on: January 20, 2023
4.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
576
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
576
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
460
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
460
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
415
Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
415
01:26Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
485
Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
485
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
811
Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
811
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
401
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
401