11-21-2011, 06:23 PM
LaPlace relationship says that wall tension (T) is proportional to the product of intraventricular pressure (P) and ventricular radius ®.
(Law of LaPlace)
Wall tension can be thought of as the tension generated by myocytes that results in a given intraventricular pressure at a particular ventricular radius. Therefore, when the ventricle needs to generate greater pressure, for example with increased afterload or inotropic stimulation, the wall tension is increased (i.e., increased myocyte tension development). This relationship also shows us that a dilated ventricle (as occurs in dilated cardiomyopathy) has to generate increased wall tension to produce the same intraventricular pressure.
(Law of LaPlace)
Wall tension can be thought of as the tension generated by myocytes that results in a given intraventricular pressure at a particular ventricular radius. Therefore, when the ventricle needs to generate greater pressure, for example with increased afterload or inotropic stimulation, the wall tension is increased (i.e., increased myocyte tension development). This relationship also shows us that a dilated ventricle (as occurs in dilated cardiomyopathy) has to generate increased wall tension to produce the same intraventricular pressure.