Question

Define compliance and state the equation. What is it the primary determinant of?

A) Compliance = Change in volume / Change in pressure; It is the primary determinant of heart rate.
B) Compliance = Change in pressure / Change in volume; It is the primary determinant of stroke volume.
C) Compliance = Change in pressure / Change in time; It is the primary determinant of blood viscosity.
D) Compliance = Change in volume / Change in time; It is the primary determinant of cardiac output.

Answer 1

Compliance is the ability of a compartment to expand without increased resistance or blood pressure. It is determined by the equation Compliance = Change in volume / Change in pressure. It is not the primary determinant of heart rate, stroke volume, blood viscosity, or cardiac output.

Step-by-step explanation:

Compliance is the ability of any compartment to expand to accommodate increased content. The greater the compliance of an artery, the more effectively it is able to expand to accommodate surges in blood flow without increased resistance or blood pressure. When vascular disease causes stiffening of arteries, compliance is reduced and resistance to blood flow is increased. It is primarily determined by the equation Compliance = Change in volume / Change in pressure. Compliance is not the primary determinant of heart rate, stroke volume, blood viscosity, or cardiac output.