As left heart failure progresses:
A) left ventricular preload increases.
B) systemic vascular resistance decreases.
C) left end-diastolic volume decreases.
D) pulmonary vascular resistance decreases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As left heart failure progresses, the left ventricle is unable to effectively pump blood out to the body, resulting in an increase in left ventricular preload (the volume of blood that fills the ventricle during diastole). This occurs because the impaired pumping action of the ventricle causes blood to back up into the left atrium and pulmonary veins, increasing the pressure in these vessels and ultimately leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Systemic vascular resistance may initially increase in an attempt to maintain blood pressure, but will eventually decrease due to a decrease in cardiac output. Left end-diastolic volume may increase or remain unchanged, but will not decrease. Pulmonary vascular resistance may increase as a result of pulmonary edema and hypoxemia.

As Left Heart Failure Progresses