Barton, Gregory P.

We assessed the effect of right ventricular afterload reduction with sildenafil and heart rate reduction with metoprolol on cardiac hemodynamics and function in young adults born premature using 4D flow MRI. Metoprolol depressed cardiac function, whereas sildenafil improved cardiac function including right ventricular direct flow fraction by 4D flow, consistent with hemodynamic improvement. This suggests that the preterm heart is dependent on heart rate and sensitive to right ventricular afterload changes.Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/behind-the-bench-episode-9 .