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Left ventricular volume analysis as a basic tool to describe cardiac function
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Left ventricular volume analysis as a basic tool to describe cardiac function

Peter L. M. Kerkhof, Tatiana Kuznetsova, Rania Ali and Neal Handly
Advances in physiology education, v 42(1)
01 Mar 2018
PMID: 29446315
url
https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00140.2017View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze) Open

Abstract

Education & Educational Research Education, Scientific Disciplines Life Sciences & Biomedicine Physiology Science & Technology Social Sciences
The heart is often regarded as a compression pump. Therefore, determination of pressure and volume is essential for cardiac function analysis. Traditionally, ventricular performance was described in terms of the Starling curve, i.e., output related to input. This view is based on two variables (namely, stroke volume and end-diastolic volume), often studied in the isolated (i.e., denervated) heart, and has dominated the interpretation of cardiac mechanics over the last century. The ratio of the prevailing coordinates within that paradigm is termed ejection fraction (EF), which is the popular metric routinely used in the clinic. Here we present an insightful alternative approach while describing volume regulation by relating end-systolic volume (ESV) to end-diastolic volume. This route obviates the undesired use of metrics derived from differences or ratios, as employed in previous models. We illustrate basic principles concerning ventricular volume regulation by data obtained from intact animal experiments and collected in healthy humans. Special attention is given to sex-specific differences. The method can be applied to the dynamics of a single heart and to an ensemble of individuals. Group analysis allows for stratification regarding sex, age, medication, and additional clinically relevant covariates. A straightforward procedure derives the relationship between EF and ESV and describes myocardial oxygen consumption in terms of ESV. This representation enhances insight and reduces the impact of the metric EF, in favor of the end-systolic elastance concept advanced 4 decades ago.

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40 citations in Scopus

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Education, Scientific Disciplines
Physiology
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