Introduction to Pressure-Volume Loops What is a Pressure-Volume Loop? A pressure-volume (PV) loop is a graphical representation of the changes in pressure and volume in the left ventricle during a single cardiac cycle. It provides a comprehensive view of ventricular mechanics, showing how the heart fills with and ejects blood. This loop helps clinicians understand … Read more
Valvular heart disease (VHD) presents significant challenges in modern cardiovascular medicine. It encompasses a spectrum of conditions where one or more of the heart’s valves malfunction, leading to disrupted blood flow within the heart and across the systemic circulation. As VHD progresses, it often necessitates surgical intervention to correct the valve dysfunction. One of the … Read more
Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the aortic valve fails to close completely during diastole, allowing blood to flow back into the left ventricle (LV) from the aorta. This backward flow creates unique challenges for the cardiovascular system, particularly concerning hemodynamics—the study of blood flow. One of the most insightful tools for understanding these hemodynamic … Read more