19 - Cardiac Output Flashcards
What is cardiac output?
- The volume of blood that is ejected from one ventricle in one minute
What assumptions are we making in determining the cardiac output this way?
- Left output equals right output
- Venous return equal cardiac output
There are two general methods for measuring cardiac output. What are they?
1 - Direct Fick method
2 - Dye dilution method
How does the direct Fick method measure cardiac output?
This method uses O2 content of arterial blood, mixed venous blood and O2 consumption
How does the dye dilution method measure cardiac output?
This method uses dyes, thermal dilution and radioisotope dilution
Where do you measure thermal dilution in the dye dilution method?
On the right side
Describe the Frank-Starling law of the heart
- Stretch and force contraction are linearly proportional to an upper limit
- As the ventricle fills to a greater degree, more stretch is produced prior to stimulation
- At stimulation, the increased stretch results in a more forceful contraction
Explain how the Frank-Starling law matches cardiac output to the venous system
- An increase in venous return will fill the ventricle to a greater degree
- The increased volume in the ventricle will then be pumped out to systemic circulation
Explain how the Frank-Starling law matches the cardiac output of the right side of the heart to the cardiac output of the left side of the heart
- A given volume of blood that is delivered to the right side of the heart will be pumped to the lungs
- From the lungs, this volume will be pumped back to the left side of the heart and delivered to systemic circulation
Explain how the Frank-Starling law compensates for slight variations in heart rate under resting conditions
- Increased heart rate results in a decreased stroke volume
- If the stroke volume had stayed the same, the cardiac output would have increased
Why are there numerous different Frank-Starling curves (Sarnoff) depending on the level of sympathetic or parasympathetic stimulation?
- The different neurotransmitters can either increase or decrease the force of contraction (not an increase in contractility) independent of left ventricle end diastolic volume (LVEDV)
- Depending on whether or not the neurotransmitter is a positive inotropic agent or a negative one - this can cause an infinite number of curves related to the level of stimulation by the ANS
What does it mean to be a negative inotropic agent?
This agent decreases the force of contraction
What is an example of a pathological reason that you would see a decrease in the force of contraction?
Congestive heart failure
What is an example of an agent that can decrease the force of contraction?
Acetylcholine
What does it mean to be a positive inotropic agent?
This agent increases the force of contraction
What are two positive inotropic agents?
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
How does the left ventricle end diastolic volume (LVEDV) change during exercise?
The ventricle has less time to fill due to the increased heart rate
How does the left ventricle end systolic volume (LVESV) change during exercise?
During exercise, the heart contracts more forcefully so it empties more
How do you calculate the cardiac output from stroke volume and heart rate?
CO = SV x HR
CO = Cardiac output SV = Stroke volume HR = Heart rate
How would you calculate the cardiac output given an LVEDV=130 and LVESV=60 and HR=70?
SV = LVEDV-LVESV SV = 130 - 60 SV = 70
CO = SV x HR CO = 70 x 70 CO = 4900 mL/min CO = 4.9 L/min