Which of the following is an indication of left ventricular afterload?

a. Ejection fraction
b. Systemic vascular resistance
c. Pulmonary vascular resistance
d. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure

ANS: B
The systemic vascular resistance is the resistance the left ventricle must contract against to eject blood into the systemic circulation. Ejection fraction is a measurement of contractility. Pulmonary vascular resistance is the resistance the right ventricle must contract against to eject blood into the pulmonary circulation. Left ventricle end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is used to estimate left ventricular preload.