Q. A 71-year-old man comes to the clinic due to frequent lower limb cramps (claudication). The claudication always appears while walking with his dog every morning. The patient's medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. He is currently on multiple medications. His vital signs show BP: 152/84, HR: 82 bpm, and respiratory rate: 12/min. Cardiac auscultation reveals a harsh ejection systolic murmur that is best heard over the aorta with radiation over the carotid region. Which of the following is expected to decrease in this patient's left ventricular pressure-volume loop?