Pressure-Volume Loop — FRCA Primary MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Isovolumetric contraction
The correct answer is D, isovolumetric contraction. Mitral valve closure marks the end of ventricular filling. Both the mitral and aortic valves are then closed while myocardial contraction rapidly raises left ventricular pressure without changing ventricular volume. When left ventricular pressure exceeds aortic pressure, the aortic valve opens and ejection begins. Isovolumetric relaxation occurs after aortic valve closure and before mitral valve opening. Rapid filling follows mitral valve opening, while atrial systole occurs during late ventricular filling. Rapid ejection can begin only after the aortic valve has opened, so it does not occur between the two valve events specified.
Reference: Vallelonga F et al. Introduction to Hemodynamic Forces Analysis: Moving Into the New Frontier of Cardiac Deformation Analysis. Figure 3 and accompanying text. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2021;10:e023417. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34889114/