Shifts in myocardial fatty acid and glucose metabolism in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a potential mechanism for a maladaptive right ventricular response

Abstract

Increased pulmonary arterial pressures are associated with increases in the ratio of FDG/FTHA uptake in the RV. Inverse correlation between the uptake of the metabolic tracers and RV function may reflect a shift towards increased fatty acid oxidation and glycolysis associated with RV failure in maladaptive remodelling.