Potassium channels play diverse roles in regulating the behavior of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. The discovery of KCNK3(TASK1)as a new predisposing gene for pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)led to an update in the Nice Classification regarding the genetic origin of PAH. Decreased current via KCNA5(Kv1.5)plays a key role in determining pulmonary arterial tone and vascular remodeling. The transformation of smooth muscle cells causes ion channel switching, such as the loss of BKca(Kca1.1)and the gain of IKca(Kca3.1), in immature proliferative smooth muscle cells and also induces cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis resistance.
We propose OCT as a useful tool in diagnosing pulmonary artery hypertension and may provide helpful information for the pulmonary arterial remodeling process, severity, therapeutic strategy, and prognosis in congenital heart disease