Cardiovascular physiology Flashcards
Circulatory systems function
The circulatory system functions as the transport system
Delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones and regulatory chemicals to all cells
Transports carbon dioxide and other products of metabolism from the cells to the lungs, liver and kidneys
Distributes heat from inside the body to the extremities and vice versa
Circulatory system consists of
Heart
Vessels
Blood
Arteries
Carry blood away from the heart
Veins
Carry blood towards the heart
Lymphatic vessels carry
Carry tissue fluid
Formula for cardiac output
stroke volume x heart rate
Cardiac output is effected by
Preload
Contractibility
Afterload
Heart rate
Preload is determined and effected by
Determined by ventricular filling
End diastolic volume
Affected by
Leaky semilunar valves
Incomplete emptying due to poor contractility
Contractibility is determined by
Major determinants are
Preload
Sympathetic stimulation – increases contractility
Blood and tissue calcium concentrations
The ruminant heart is particularly sensitive to low calcium
Afterload or peripheral resistance is and is determined by
The resistance against which the ventricles pump
Basically, the tone in the arterial system
Measured as blood pressure
Affected by input from the
Sympathetic NS (vasoconstriction)
Parasympathetic NS (vasodilation)
By local mediators
Reducing afterload with vasodilators is beneficial in heart failure
Systemic circulations
High -pressure
Requires hydrostatic pressure to force blood through capillaries in tissues.
Also needs to pump against gravity to reach organs such as the brain
Pulmonary circulation is
Low -pressure
Very little resistance in vessels of lungs
Can easily get fluid leakage in the delicate capillaries if pressure too high
Total blood volume distribution
Lungs: 15%
Body: 80%
Heart 5%
The circulatory system is divided into
systemic and pulmonary, each with arterial (away from the heart) and venous (toward the heart) components
Systole def
Contraction of ventricles causing the heart to eject blood into ciculation
Contractibility def
Contractility: ability of the heart to fully contract
Afterload def
Afterload: the force the ventricles need to overcome to push blood forward
Preload def
Preload : the amount of blood in the heart before contraction (end diastolic volume)
Stroke volume def
Stroke volume (aka systolic discharge): the amount of blood ejected out of the heart with ventricular contraction
Cardiac output def
Cardiac output: the volume of blood the heart is able to pump forward in one minute (stroke volume X heart rate)
Starlings principle is
Starling’s principle: increase contractility of cardiac muscle if fibers are stretched
More blood in ventricles results in stronger contraction
Diastole def
Diastole: relaxation of ventricles causing the heart to fill
Systolic blood pressure def
Systolic blood pressure: maximum pressure in arteries, occurs during ventricular contraction
Diastolic blood pressure def
Diastolic blood pressure: minimum pressure in arteries, occurs during ventricular relaxation
Pulse pressure or systematic pressure def
Pulse pressure or systematic resistance: the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures (when the ventricle contracts, the arteries stretch and recoil to normal size – this is felt as the pulse)
Peripheral or systemic resistance def
Peripheral or systemic resistance: friction in the arteries that limits the flow of blood
Heart rate is controlled by
Body temperature
Decreased (subnormal) temperature means decreased heart rate
Autonomic NS
Cardioregulatory center in the medulla oblongata in the brainstem
Receives input from baroreceptors in the vessels (primarily the arch of the aorta and the carotid sinuses) and heart chambers
Atropine block
Acetylcholine and can be used to correct low heart rate
Hormones effect heart rate by
Sympathetic stimulation to adrenal gland causes release of epinephrine –increases contractility and therefore stroke volume.
Increased thyroid hormone will increase heart rate (very important for hyperthyroid cats!)
Decreased T4 will decrease HR – helpful to Dx hypoT4
Low heart rates are a sign of hypothyroidism
Ion levels effect heart rate
Hyperkalemia (excess potassium) decreases heart rate.
Cardiovascular center in the medulla effects on heart rate
If pressure drops, feedback increases sympathetic stimulation with the release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine – increases heart rate and contractility
Norepinephrine and epinephrine are also hormones released by the adrenal medulla
Sympathetic stimulation also increases BP through vasoconstriction
If pressure rises, feedback increases parasympathetic tone through the vagus nerves to reverse the above
Vegas nerves affect the heart rate by
Vagus nerves innervate the SA and AV nodes
Stimulation causes the release of acetylcholine
slows the rate of depolarization to decrease heart rate
Shock is defined by
Defined as a failure of tissue perfusion
In some types of shock vessels dilate to a volume that exceeds that of the blood
In some types of shock vessels dilate to a volume that exceeds that of the blood which causes
Results in a fall in BP.
Systolic BP < 40 is generally considered incompatible with life!
The body tries to maintain flow through vital organs like the brain and heart and may shut down peripheral circulation (skin, kidneys).
Requires treatment with high IV fluid rates