Introduction to Cardiac Mechanics Understanding how the heart functions goes beyond just knowing that it pumps blood. At its core, cardiac mechanics provides a detailed explanation of how the heart generates pressure, moves volumes of blood, and responds to physiological demands. Among the many tools used to evaluate cardiac function, the PV loop and Frank … Read more
Introduction Understanding preload reduction is critical in cardiovascular physiology, particularly when assessing cardiac function using the multi-beat PV loop measure. Preload refers to the ventricular end-diastolic volume, which directly influences stroke volume and overall cardiac output. Excessive preload can lead to complications such as heart failure, pulmonary congestion, and inefficient cardiac performance. The multi-beat PV … Read more
Introduction Advancements in cardiac monitoring technology have transformed how clinicians assess heart function in real-time, particularly in intraoperative and critical care settings. Two pivotal innovations—Baan’s Equation and PV Loop catheter technologies—offer a synergistic approach to improving hemodynamic evaluation. Baan’s Equation provides a mathematical model to estimate ventricular volume, while the PV Loop catheter enables real-time … Read more
Introduction The fundamentals of PV Loops and Potential Energy are essential for understanding cardiac mechanics and energy transfer within the heart. The PV loop (pressure-volume loop) graphically represents the changes in pressure and volume throughout the cardiac cycle, allowing researchers and clinicians to assess heart function dynamically. By analyzing the area enclosed within the PV … Read more
Introduction Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) has revolutionized the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR), offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. One of the most critical aspects of TEER is its immediate impact on pressure-volume (PV) loop hemodynamics changes during TEER, which provides real-time insight into cardiac function modifications. Understanding the acute changes in preload, … Read more
In modern intensive care units (ICUs), precision in hemodynamic monitoring is essential for managing critically ill patients. One of the most sophisticated methods to assess cardiac performance is through pressure-volume (PV) loop monitoring. These loops provide a real-time graphical representation of cardiac pressure and volume changes during the cardiac cycle, offering invaluable insights into myocardial … Read more
A detailed analysis of how atrial shunting impacts the geometry and phases of the pressure-volume (PV) loop in the cardiac cycle reveals critical insights into the complexities of cardiac physiology. This article examines the fundamental concepts of atrial shunting, how it alters cardiac hemodynamics, and its impact on the PV loops in atrial shunting, which … Read more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex and often hereditary heart condition characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, primarily affecting the left ventricle. This thickening can lead to impaired diastolic filling, where the heart struggles to relax and fill with blood between contractions. One of the most informative and advanced techniques for evaluating … Read more
Aortic stenosis is a significant valvular heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, leading to restricted blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. This condition imposes profound hemodynamic consequences, critically impacting cardiac function and patient outcomes. A precise understanding of these hemodynamic changes can be effectively achieved through the … Read more
Introduction Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common and serious condition affecting the heart’s aortic valve, leading to restricted blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. This obstruction can cause significant cardiac dysfunction and is associated with a variety of symptoms, including chest pain, fainting, and shortness of breath. Accurate diagnosis and assessment of … Read more