Stroke volume

Stroke Volume

Stroke volume (pronunciation: /stroʊk ˈvɒl.juːm/) is a term used in cardiology to refer to the amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart during each contraction. It is usually measured in milliliters (ml) and is a key component in calculating cardiac output.

Etymology

The term "stroke volume" originates from the English words "stroke", meaning a single, complete movement, and "volume", referring to the quantity or amount of a particular substance. In this context, it refers to the quantity of blood moved with each heartbeat.

Calculation

Stroke volume is calculated by subtracting the end-systolic volume (ESV) from the end-diastolic volume (EDV). The formula is as follows:

SV = EDV - ESV

Where:

SV is the stroke volume
EDV is the end-diastolic volume
ESV is the end-systolic volume

Factors affecting stroke volume

Several factors can affect stroke volume, including:

Each of these factors can increase or decrease the stroke volume, affecting the overall cardiac output.

Related terms

Ejection fraction: The percentage of blood that's pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat.
Cardiac output: The amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute.
Heart rate: The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually per minute.