If the venous return to the right atrium should increase from a normal value of about 5 L/min (in the adult) to about 10 L/min, what would a normal heart most likely develop?
A) An increase in atrial and end-diastolic ventricular pressure with decreased stroke volume
B) A decrease in atrial and end-diastolic ventricular pressure with decreased contractility
C) An increase in atrial and end-diastolic ventricular pressure with increased stroke volume
D) Bradycardia and cardiac shock
E) Bradycardia and very low end-diastolic pressure of the right ventricle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in venous return to the right atrium leads to an increase in atrial and end-diastolic ventricular pressure, which in turn increases the stroke volume due to the Frank-Starling mechanism. This mechanism states that the heart will eject more blood when it is filled with more blood.

If the Venous Return to the Right Atrium Should Increase