Fig. 3. Steady state left atrial (LA) pressure–volume diagrams obtained during control conditions (top left ) and during administration 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) desflurane (top right and bottom left and right ) in a typical experiment. A decrease in LA stroke work (A loop area) and compensatory increases in LA volume and V loop area occur during administration of 0.6 and 0.9 MAC desflurane anesthesia. However, V loop area decreases at 1.2 MAC, consistent with a subsequent impairment of the passive component of the LA contribution to LV filling.