Hemodynamics Measurements
The method was described in our previous published study.21,22 Briefly, a PE-50 catheter (Beckton-Dickinson, Sparks, MD, USA) was inserted into the femoral artery using a cut-down procedure for recording pressure. Thereafter, a left parasternal thoracotomy was performed. Another catheter was inserted closely to the main pulmonary artery via the right ventricular outflow tract. Pulmonary and femoral arterial pressures were recorded simultaneously.