Introduction to Pressure–Volume (PV) Loops in Cardiology Pressure–volume (PV) loops are one of the most useful tools in cardiology for understanding how the heart works. A PV loop shows how pressure and volume inside the left ventricle change during one heartbeat. By looking at the shape and size of the loop, doctors and students can … Read more
Baan’s equation forms the mathematical and physiological foundation of conductance-based pressure–volume (PV) loop technology. This method allows real-time, beat-to-beat measurement of left ventricular volume inside the intact, beating heart—making it one of the most powerful tools for studying cardiac mechanics, ventricular-arterial coupling, and contractility. Traditional PV measurements relied on imaging or indicator dilution techniques, which … Read more
Introduction to How is the ECG related to a PV loop Understanding how the ECG is related to a PV loop is essential for anyone studying the heart because it connects electrical activity with mechanical pumping. The ECG tells us when the heart is electrically activated, while the PV loop shows how the ventricles respond … Read more
Structural heart disease alters the normal patterns of blood movement within the heart. One of the most important ways to understand these changes is by evaluating the balance between forward flow and regurgitant flow, especially through the lens of pressure–volume (PV) loop hemodynamics. PV loops offer a clear visual understanding of how valve disease impacts … Read more