Pressure-volume loops: a dynamic approach to the assessment of ventricular function.

Analysis of ventricular function in terms of pressure-volume or pressure-dimension relationships allows global and regional ventricular dynamics to be fully analyzed. In addition, this approach allows the relationships between muscle function (contractility, stiffness, potential energy) and pump function (stroke volume, stroke work) to be determined and predicted. Alterations in ventricular loading conditions can also be examined in terms of muscle and pump function. However, this analysis is more complex than initially thought and considerable care must be taken especially when regional ischemia is concerned. Moreover, some of the early assumptions have been disproved and conclusions can only be drawn from studies in which full assessment of changes in pressure and dimensions is available.