The term "Ventricular End Systolic Volume" is a mouthful, but its spelling can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "ven" is pronounced as [vɛn], the second syllable "tri" as [trɪ], and "cu" as [kjʊ]. The word "lar" is pronounced as [lɑr], while "End" is [ɛnd]. "Sys" is pronounced as [sɪs], while "to" is pronounced as [toʊ]. Finally, "lic" is [lɪk] and "Vol" as [vɑl]. With this knowledge, one can confidently spell and pronounce Ventricular End Systolic Volume.
Ventricular End Systolic Volume (VESV) refers to the amount of blood remaining in either the left or right ventricle of the heart at the end of systole, or the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle. It is a vital metric in assessing heart health and function.
Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out of the ventricles. When the ventricles are completely contracted, there is still a residual volume of blood that remains within them. This residual volume is known as the ventricular end systolic volume.
VESV is measured in milliliters (ml) and can be determined through various techniques, including echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or cardiac catheterization. These imaging or diagnostic tests allow for the evaluation of the size and function of the heart, including the determination of VESV.
The value of VESV is an important clinical parameter as it serves as an indicator of cardiac performance. It helps clinicians assess the heart's ability to pump blood effectively and the overall condition of the myocardium, which is the heart's muscular tissue. Higher VESV values indicate weaker ventricular contraction, reduced cardiac output, or impaired cardiac function.
In summary, ventricular end systolic volume refers to the volume of blood that remains in the ventricles of the heart at the end of systole. It is a critical measurement used to evaluate cardiac function and determine the efficiency of blood pumping from the heart.