Circulation Research, Vol 68, 1495-1500, Copyright © 1991 by American Heart Association
ARTICLES |
Matching between ventricle and arterial load. An evolutionary process
G Elzinga and N Westerhof
Laboratory for Physiology, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The hemodynamic properties of the ventricle are related to those of the arterial load. However, the precise nature of this relation is not known. At least three different matching criteria have been described in the literature: optimization of heart rate, of power output, and of external efficiency. Although these suggestions are based on experimental findings, there is little understanding of the underlying principles. We now suggest that the balance between the ventricle and its load is a result of the evolutionary process. To support our view, three simple assumptions are proposed regarding the evolutionary determinants underlying the relation between ventricle and arterial load: 1) Arterial pressure and flow to be generated by the ventricular pump under normal (control) conditions are set by the demands of the body. 2) Mechanical properties of contractile machinery and arterial wall material are given. 3) The heart and arterial system should have minimum size. On the basis thereof, we argue that heart rate is related to maintenance of diastolic pressure and show that the ventricle operates close to optimum power and efficiency to attain minimum size.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  B. Rosati, M. Dong, L. Cheng, S.-R. Liou, Q. Yan, J. Y. Park, E. Shiang, M. Sanguinetti, H.-S. Wang, and D. McKinnon Evolution of ventricular myocyte electrophysiology Physiol Genomics, November 12, 2008; 35(3): 262 - 272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E. Safar Wave reflections and cardiovascular epidemiology and therapeutics Eur. Heart J., December 2, 2005; 26(24): 2609 - 2610. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. L. M. Rundell, V. Manaves, A. F. Martin, and P. P. de Tombe Impact of {beta}-myosin heavy chain isoform expression on cross-bridge cycling kinetics Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2005; 288(2): H896 - H903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Smulyan, R. G. Asmar, A. Rudnicki, G. M. London, and M. E. Safar Comparative effects of aging in men and women on the properties of the arterial tree J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 1, 2001; 37(5): 1374 - 1380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Chemla, J.-L. Hebert, C. Coirault, K. Zamani, I. Suard, P. Colin, and Y. Lecarpentier Total arterial compliance estimated by stroke volume-to-aortic pulse pressure ratio in humans Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 1998; 274(2): H500 - H505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. R. Starling Effects of Valve Surgery on Left Ventricular Contractile Function in Patients With Long-term Mitral Regurgitation Circulation, August 15, 1995; 92(4): 811 - 818. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Segers, N. Stergiopulos, and N. Westerhof Relation of effective arterial elastance to arterial system properties Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, March 1, 2002; 282(3): H1041 - H1046. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|