Figure 3

A. Representative examples of right ventricular outflow tract Doppler flow patterns in Con and Emp hamsters nine months after elastase or vehicle treatment. A more symmetric contour of the Doppler spectrum is seen in the Con group as compared to the Emp animals which show an earlier peak flow velocity. The points used for measurement of RVOT acceleration time are indicated. B. Right ventricular outflow tract Doppler spectra were measured at baseline, 3, 6, 8 and 9 months in the Emp group and at baseline and nine months in the Con group. Note the significant decrease in pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) over time in the Emp group. Right ventricular outflow tract acceleration time in the Emp group was significantly shorter that the Con group after nine months (*p ≤ 0.05 vs. Con). C. Right ventricular internal diastolic dimension (RVID) vs. PAAT for both the Emp and Con groups after nine months. Note the significant inverse linear correlation between RVID and PAAT in the Emp hamsters. Con, control; Emp, emphysema.