Transgenic rats with Bmpr2 mutation is a model of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study aims to evaluate cardiac alterations of Bmpr2-mutants associated with a risk factor (hypoxia) by MRI and 31P-MRS. Transgenic rats exposed to chronic hypoxia showed a drastic dilatation of the RV along with an increased wall thickness and no variation of ejection fraction, thus resembling right heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The cardiac energy balance is disturbed in Bmpr2 rats under hypoxia indicating a metabolic insult. Bmpr2 mutation associated with chronic hypoxia can aggravate right heart failure and thereby accentuated the onsets of PAH.
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