Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
afterload
The resistance the heart must overcome to eject blood during ventricular contraction.
Full Definition
Afterload represents the pressure or resistance that the left ventricle must work against to pump blood into the systemic circulation. It is primarily determined by systemic vascular resistance and aortic pressure. Increased afterload, as seen in hypertension or aortic stenosis, forces the heart to work harder and can lead to ventricular hypertrophy. Understanding afterload is crucial for interpreting cardiac function studies and treatment decisions involving vasodilators or inotropic agents.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with preload; ensure correct context when editing cardiac physiology discussions.
In Context
- "The patient's elevated afterload secondary to severe hypertension contributed to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy." — cardiology consultation note
- "Vasodilator therapy was initiated to reduce afterload and improve cardiac performance." — heart failure treatment plan
Also known as
ventricular afterload
systemic vascular resistance
Contrasted with
preload
Don't confuse with
preload
cardiac output