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High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury Impairs Biventricular Function and Blunts Cardiopulmonary Interactions in a Rodent
Mehdi Ahmadian1,2,3,4, Christopher R West1,2,3
1Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|March 14, 2026
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs both left and right heart function and disrupts cardiopulmonary interactions. This study highlights underrecognized cardiovascular control disruptions following SCI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Trauma Research
Background:
- High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) is known to affect left ventricular (LV) function.
- The impact of SCI on right ventricular (RV) function and cardiopulmonary interactions is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of SCI on biventricular function.
- To examine cardiopulmonary interactions following SCI.
- To identify potential targets for clinical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats underwent high-thoracic (T3) contusion SCI.
- Two weeks post-injury, animals were mechanically ventilated.
- Simultaneous LV, RV, and arterial pressure recordings were obtained.
Main Results:
- SCI significantly impaired LV systolic performance (reduced peak pressure, mean pressure, dP/dtmax).
- RV dysfunction was observed (reduced peak pressure, altered end-diastolic pressure), sparing dP/dtmax.
- Biventricular impairment was associated with systemic hypotension and collapsed cardiopulmonary interactions.
Conclusions:
- SCI causes multisite disruption in cardiovascular control.
- Right heart function and cardiopulmonary interactions are critical, underrecognized consequences of SCI.
- These findings suggest new targets for clinical monitoring and interventions post-SCI.
