Figure 3.

The graph depicts the pressure drop along the vascular tree from the left ventricle to the right atrium. In a circulatory standstill, pressure and volume equilibrate in the whole system at mean circulatory filling pressure. Volume is distributed according to each segments compliances from the arterial side, where pressure drops substantially, to the veins, with high compliance and high volume uptake. The equilibrating pressure is related to stressed volume and independent of the hearts’ function. If the heart is restarted and circulation resumes, volume redistributes around the MCFP as pivot. LV, left ventricle; RA, right atrium; Art, arterioles; cap, capillaries; ven, venules.