Question

Why does mean left ventricular (LV) transmural pressure contribute to afterload?

A) The LV is contracting inward to eject blood, and an increase in transmural pressure makes it harder for the LV to contract effectively.
B) The LV is pushing against its own internal pressure, and an increase in transmural pressure hinders its ability to eject blood.
C) Transmural pressure is solely determined by pleural pressure, and an increase in pleural pressure reduces LV afterload.
D) LV transmural pressure has no impact on afterload; afterload is solely determined by aortic pressure.

Answer 1

An increase in transmural pressure makes it harder for the left ventricle (LV) to contract effectively and pump blood, contributing to afterload.

Step-by-step explanation:

Afterload refers to the tension that the ventricles must develop to pump blood effectively against the resistance in the vascular system. An increase in transmural pressure makes it harder for the left ventricle (LV) to contract effectively and pump blood, contributing to afterload. Therefore, option A) The LV is contracting inward to eject blood, and an increase in transmural pressure makes it harder for the LV to contract effectively, is the correct answer.