Figure 1. Measurement of cardiopulmonary morphometric function using the transthoracic echocardiography.

Assessment of pulmonary artery (PA) diameter (A), PA pressure (B) and PA acceleration time (PAAT) measured at 4 weeks after fistula ligation (C). The peak flow velocity across pulmonary valve was significantly reduced at 4 weeks after aortocaval fistula ligation, and the diameter of PA was simultaneously reduced in corresponding to decrease in PA pressure. On the contrary, the PAAT increased significantly after ligation of aortocaval fistula, suggesting the reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance. Dotted lines indicate the levels of sham animals. Results were analyzed using unpaired t-test, and data are presented as mean ± SD. n = 6–8 different animals in each group. NL: non-ligation group; L: ligation group.