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Definition

noun

(1) A curve that show the contractility change in an intact heart.

(2) A graph to show the relationship (or ratio) between the atrial pressure (plotted along the x-axis) and the cardiac output or stroke volume (plotted along the y-axis).

Supplement

This graphical representation indicates that the more blood is returned to the heart, the more blood is pumped from it without the extrinsic signals.

Variant: Starling's curve, Frank-Starling curve.

Synonyms:

• ventricular function curve
• cardiac function curve