A Study of Experimental Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Crotaline

Objective:To observe the pathological changes of chronic injury of lungs and explore the mechanism of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)development.Methods: PAH was induced in ten rats by a single subcutaneous injection of crotaline at a dose of 50 mg/kg.Lung sections(HE stained) were observed under light microscope for pathological changes and damages of vascular endothelial cells of the pulmonary arteries.Their relationship with PAH was analyzed.Results: Damages in vascular endothelial cells of pulmonary arteries of rats received crotaline injection were observed and showing as hyperplasy of smooth muscle and right ventricular hypertrophy.Conclusion: Rebuilding of the structure in pulmonary arterial after the damage might be the pathological basis of PAH.