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Ventricular-Arterial Coupling

Meaning

Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) is a quantitative measure of the mechanical and energetic efficiency of the entire cardiovascular system, representing the optimal functional interaction between the heart’s pumping chamber, the left ventricle, and the arterial system’s load. It is defined as the ratio of arterial elastance to ventricular elastance. Maintaining optimal VAC is critical for minimizing the heart’s workload and maximizing cardiac efficiency, a key determinant of cardiovascular longevity.