A patient with severe aortic stenosis experiences decreased cardiac output. Which mechanism explains why their systolic blood pressure may paradoxically remain near normal, despite this decreased output?

💡 Explanation

Elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) maintains blood pressure because it increases the afterload on the left ventricle, leading to vasoconstriction and increased resistance to blood flow; therefore, blood pressure is maintained despite decreased cardiac output, rather than venous return compensating or increased contractility being able to overcome the stenosis.

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