23 Jan 25 Determinants of CO and BP Flashcards
What are the two main components that determine cardiac output?
Health of the heart and health of the system.
What should the right atrial pressure be under normal operating conditions?
Zero.
What does the delta p represent in the context of venous return?
The difference between the systemic pressure and the right atrial pressure.
What is indicated by a normal resistance to venous return on a graph?
A normal slope of the curve.
How does high resistance to venous return appear on a chart?
Indicated by a curve with a lower than normal slope.
If the right atrial pressure increases, what is expected to happen to venous return?
It will decrease.
What happens to venous return if the right atrial pressure decreases?
It can increase.
What factors can modify the characteristics of the circulatory system?
- Resistance to venous return
- Systemic filling pressure.
What is the effect of increased systemic filling pressure on venous return?
It increases venous return.
What happens to venous return when systemic filling pressure is reduced?
Venous return decreases.
How does the body typically enhance cardiac output during exercise?
By changing the systemic filling pressure.
What role do veins play during exercise in relation to cardiac output?
Veins constrict to increase blood return to the heart.
What is the primary obstacle to venous return during positive pressure ventilation?
Increased pressure in the thorax.
What is the primary effect of phenylephrine on the venous system?
It tightens the veins.
What is the maximum cardiac output achievable without sympathetic stimulation?
About 13 L/min.
What can sympathetic stimulation increase maximum cardiac output to?
About 25 L/min.
What effect does maximum parasympathetic stimulation have on cardiac output?
It reduces cardiac output.
What happens to the cardiac output curve in a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI)?
It shifts downwards, indicating reduced pumping effectiveness.
What happens to right atrial pressure in a hypo-effective heart?
It shifts to the right.
What happens to right atrial pressure in a hyper-effective heart?
It shifts to the left.
What determines the intersection point of the venous return curve and the cardiac output curve?
The actual conditions of the circulatory system.
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on cardiac output if the circulatory system remains unchanged?
It increases cardiac output slightly, capped at around 6 L/min.
In the presence of catecholamines affecting the heart, what happens to filling pressures?
They increase, enhancing venous return.
What characterizes a weak heart?
A weak heart is characterized by reduced cardiac output and increased right atrial pressure.
This condition may arise from issues such as myocardial infarction (MI).
What happens to cardiac output in the presence of a weak heart?
Cardiac output decreases.
The right atrial pressure increases as the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
What is the relationship between central venous pressure (CVP) and heart problems?
CVP is almost always elevated in individuals with heart problems.
This occurs as the heart struggles to pump out returning blood.
What occurs in heart failure regarding right atrial pressure?
Right atrial pressure increases significantly, often up to 3 mmHg or higher.
This is due to the heart’s inability to maintain adequate cardiac output.
How does the body compensate for a failing heart?
The body increases filling pressures to assist the struggling heart.
This may involve increasing venous return to improve cardiac output.
What effect do catecholamines have on the circulatory system?
Catecholamines tighten blood vessels and increase water retention by the kidneys.
This response helps to maintain blood pressure and volume in acute heart issues.
How do anesthetics affect systemic filling pressure?
Anesthetics reduce systemic filling pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
This can lead to a drop in cardiac output in patients reliant on high filling pressures.
What is the significance of the intersection of the venous return curve and cardiac output curve?
The intersection indicates the balance between venous return and cardiac output.
Both sides of the heart must operate similarly to avoid fluid overload or deficiency.
How does metabolic rate influence cardiac output?
Cardiac output increases with higher metabolic rates due to vasodilation in active tissues.
Conversely, lower metabolic rates allow for lower cardiac output.
What happens to cardiac output in hypothyroidism?
Cardiac output decreases due to lower metabolic rates and increased vascular resistance.
Thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic rates.
What is the effect of hyperthyroidism on cardiac output?
Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic rate, leading to increased cardiac output.
This is due to lower vascular resistance in tissues requiring more blood.
What is BeriBeri, and how does it affect cardiac output?
BeriBeri is a vitamin B1 deficiency that increases the need for energy delivery, thus raising cardiac output.
It results in cells being less efficient in energy utilization.
How do AV shunts affect cardiac output?
AV shunts lower vascular resistance, thus increasing cardiac output.
An extra connection in the circulatory system allows more pathways for blood flow.