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What is the Frank-Starling Law of the Heart? – Video
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Video at a Glance
- The Frank-Starling Law of the Heart states that the farther a cardiac myocyte stretches as the ventricle fills, the stronger the contraction.
- In practice, this means that greater end-diastolic volume stimulates a stronger contraction.
- The clinical significance is that this principle preserves cardiac output for a long time after cardiac myocytes begin to decline in function.
- The Frank-Starling Law of the Heart still applies in failing hearts.
- As heart failure progresses, the Frank-Starling Law of the Heart is less helpful. At this point, diuretics may be needed.
- Keep in mind that drugs can’t heal a weakened heart.
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