Left ventricular pressure

Left ventricular pressure (LVP) is a term used in cardiology to describe the pressure within the left ventricle of the heart. This pressure is a key factor in the overall function of the heart and the body's circulatory system.

Overview

The left ventricle is the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. The pressure within this chamber, the left ventricular pressure, is crucial for this process. It changes throughout the cardiac cycle, with the highest pressure occurring during systole (when the heart contracts) and the lowest during diastole (when the heart relaxes and fills with blood).

Measurement

Left ventricular pressure can be measured directly through cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart. It can also be estimated non-invasively using echocardiography, a type of ultrasound imaging.

Clinical significance

Abnormal left ventricular pressure can indicate a variety of heart conditions. High LVP, or hypertension, can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the heart muscle that can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Low LVP, or hypotension, can indicate conditions such as heart failure or cardiogenic shock.

See also

• Right ventricular pressure
• Blood pressure
• Heart failure