Ventricular Function

Starling's law of the heart has been studied in the dog with a complete circulation with the continuous registration of cardiac output, and atrial and arterial pressures. From this data ventricular function curves were constructed. In any given physiologic state there was a consistent and reproducible correlation between atrial pressure and ventricular stroke work on the same side. The classically conceived descending limb did not occur in the normal heart. The concept of a family of Starling or ventricular function curves adds a third dimension to the adaptive capacity of the heart as put forth by Frank and Starling.