ESPVR and Heart Failure

Abstract

End-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) in the left ventricle is used to study the problem of heart failure with normal or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This problem has recently been the object of several studies; most of these studies have concentrated on the variation of the dimensions of the left ventricle during the systolic phase. In this communication, we introduce mathematical relations that show the importance of the forces acting on the myocardium and the energy involved in the systolic contraction on the calculation of the ejection fraction (EF). Both can be derived in a simple way from the study of the pressure-volume relation (PVR) and the areas under the ESPVR. Alternative ways to assess the performance of the left ventricle are suggested.