Introduction The left atrial (LA) pressure-volume (PV) loop is a crucial tool for understanding the mechanical function of the left atrial chamber in the heart. With left atrial enlargement (LAE), significant changes occur in the compliance and function of the left atrial, affecting cardiovascular performance. This article explores how PV loops change due to left … Read more
Introduction The human cardiovascular system operates through a complex interplay between the heart and blood vessels to maintain optimal circulation. A critical aspect of this interaction is ventriculo-arterial coupling, which describes the balance between cardiac contractility and arterial load. This balance ensures efficient energy transfer from the heart to the arteries, optimizing cardiac output and … Read more
Introduction Cardiovascular function is a complex interplay between the heart and vasculature, particularly between the right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery (PA). The efficiency of this relationship, termed RV-PA coupling, is a crucial determinant of right heart function. A key tool in evaluating RV-PA coupling is the pressure-volume (PV) loop analysis, which provides insights into … Read more
Introduction The heart functions as a highly efficient pump, dynamically adjusting to changing physiological conditions. Two critical factors influencing cardiac function are afterload and preload, which directly impact stroke work and overall cardiac efficiency. These parameters are best analyzed using PV loops: High-fidelity hemodynamics, a graphical representation of ventricular pressure-volume relationships. Understanding the interactions between … Read more
The Frank-Starling principle, one of the cornerstone concepts in cardiovascular physiology, explains how changes in ventricular preload influence stroke volume. This physiological phenomenon is effectively illustrated through shifts in the pressure-volume (PV) loops and the Frank-Starling Curve, making these tools indispensable for understanding cardiac function. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the Frank-Starling Law, … Read more
Preload is a fundamental concept in cardiovascular physiology, especially in the context of pressure-volume (PV) loops. It refers to the ventricular wall stress or stretch at the end of diastole, determined by the volume of blood returning to the heart. Understanding preload is essential for clinicians, physiologists, and researchers as it directly influences cardiac function … Read more
The pressure-volume (PV) loop is a critical diagnostic tool for understanding cardiac mechanics, offering insights into the dynamic relationship between ventricular pressure and volume during a cardiac cycle. By comparing the mitral stenosis PV loop with that of a normal heart, we can observe profound alterations in the morphology that reflect the underlying pathophysiology. In … Read more
Examining cardiac function in patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be complex due to the intricate interactions between the heart and the ECMO circuit. Pressure-volume (PV) loops have emerged as a valuable tool to monitor cardiac function in real time, providing clinicians with dynamic insights into a patient’s heart performance while on ECMO. … Read more
The LV PV loop (left ventricular pressure-volume loop) is a powerful tool in cardiology, specifically in the realms of cardiac surgery and device therapy. It provides a graphical representation of the relationship between left ventricular pressure and volume during a cardiac cycle, giving invaluable insights into heart function. These loops are integral to intraoperative assessments … Read more
1. Introduction Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex condition where the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently, leading to inadequate circulation and fluid buildup in the body. Understanding the pressure-volume (PV) loop—a graphical representation of the cardiac cycle—is crucial for grasping the physiological changes that occur in CHF. The PV loop is influenced by … Read more