What Affects Cardiac Afterload

Factors which affect afterload: valve resistance, vascular resistance, vascular impedance

What causes increased cardiac afterload?

Afterload is increased when aortic pressure and systemic vascular resistance are increased, by aortic valve stenosis, and by ventricular dilation. When afterload increases, there is an increase in end-systolic volume and a decrease in stroke volume.

What would most increase afterload?

The transmural left ventricular pressure gradient, and therefore afterload, is increased by high systemic vascular resistance, high arterial blood pressure, and a noncompliant aorta.