['Prostacyclin mimetics are vasodilatory agents used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The direct effects of prostanoids on right ventricular (RV) function are unknown. We aimed to investigate the direct effects of prostacyclin mimetics on RV function in hearts with and without RV hypertrophy and failure.', 'Wistar rats were subjected to pulmonary trunk banding to induce compensated RV hypertrophy (n=32) or manifest RV failure (n=32). Rats without banding served as healthy controls (n=30). The hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff system and subjected to iloprost, treprostinil, epoprostenol or MRE-269 in increasing concentrations. The effect on RV function was evaluated using a balloon-tipped catheter inserted into the RV.', 'In control hearts iloprost, treprostinil and MRE-269, improved RV function. The effect was, however, absent in hearts with RV hypertrophy and failure. Treprostinil and MRE-269 even impaired RV function in hearts with manifest RV failure.'] Are inotropic effects of prostacyclins on the right ventricle abolished in isolated rat hearts with right ventricular hypertrophy and failure?