Right Ventricle Lab Report

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The function of the right ventricle (RV) is to receive the systemic venous return and to pump this deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary arteries into the pulmonary circulation.
The RV pumps the same amount of blood as the left volume pumps, this amount equals the stroke volume. The RV ejects blood against the pulmonary vascular resistance which is characterized by a low impedance and a highly distensible pulmonary arteries. On the other hand, the left ventricle (LV) ejects the blood against the systemic vascular resistance which has much higher impedance than the pulmonary resistance. As a consequence, the RV pumps the blood with about 25% of the stroke work performed by the LV. The RV operates under a lower pressure compared to the LV:
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A great determinant of the afterload on the RV is the pulmonary vascular resistance. The RV can be exposed to high pressure overload states either acutely or chronically. Under acute pressure overload states, the RV responds initially by increased contractility in order to maintain the stroke volume. Initially, the increase in ESP is accompanied by increase in ESV and EDV which in turn stretches the ventricular wall augmenting the contractility (Frank-Starling-Law). However, the RV has limited capacity to generate higher pressure. It has been found from studies as well clinical practise that increase in RV systolic pressure by 60% is the maximum extent by which RV can respond. Later, the EF and SV will decrease as the mean ejection pressure increases, and this is reflected by a decrease in COP. In addition, the RV has thin wall and the high pressure load increase the wall tension and stress. Which leads to increase the oxygen demands causing RV ischemia. In addition, acute pressure load leads to RV dilation which cause a decrease in LV filling and eventually a decrease in COP. Acute RV pressure overload in adults often leads to RV dilation and failure. For example, in adults with acute pulmonary embolism, the RV is unable to generate pressure > 40 and the condition develops to RV failure early in the presentation of acute significant pulmonary. Another example is: idiopathic

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