Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What is haemopoiesis?
Formation of the blood cells
What is the lifespan of a red blood cell?
120 days
What is the lifespan of a platelet?
7-10 days
Where do the precursors of mature blood cells derive from?
Bone marrow.
In utero; yolk sac, liver and spleen, bone marrow
Children - all bones
Adults - axial skeleton
Haemopoietic stem cells
They are pluripotent, so they replicate and differentiate into red cells, white cells, platelets and marrow stroma.
Control of haemopoiesis
Replication and differentiation is stimulated by hormonal growth factors.
For red blood cells, the hormone is erythropoietin (EPO) which is used for renal failure therapy. White blood cells the hormone is Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) used in chemotherapy. For platelets its thrombopoietin (TPO) drives production of platelets used in people who have low platelet count.
Histological features of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Simple anucleate cells with no mitochondria
Biconcave
7.5micrometer diameter
Contain haemoglobin glycolysis enzymes
Haemoglobin
Carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissue. 4 globin chains each with its own haem group (O2 carrier)
Tetrametric protein with 2 alpha and 2 beta chains.
Allows O2 to reversibly combine with Fe2+ ions in an aqueous environment.
Method of looking at haemoglobin: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Separates haemoglobin on basis of electrical charge
Method of looking at looking at haemoglobin: Electrophoresis
Separates haemoglobin on basis of electrical charge
Acid and alkaline conditions
Abnormalities of haemoglobin
Sickle cell disease (heterozygous dominant)
Lack of the gene for alpha/beta thalaessemia - beta is more common since this is the chain that changes from the baby form of Hb.
What is the name for the condition where there is a deficiency of Hb?
Anaemia
For men and women respectively, what are low levels of Hb? Why do women have lower levels of haemoglobin?
Men - <130g/L
Women - <110g/L
Women have lower levels due to menstrual bleeding
What is acute blood loss?
Blood loss results in loss of red blood cells and plasma.
Initially the haemoglobin levels will be unchanged.
Whart is a result of production failure of RBC?
Hypoplastic anaemia (not enough) Dyshaemopoeitic anaemia (ineffective production)
Why could there be increased removal of RBC?
Blood loss or haemolytic loss (breakdown of RBC). This can be due to intrinsic (within RBC) abnormalities or extrinsic (outside RBC) abnormalities.
Aplastic anaemia
Can be inherited or acquired for reasons such as idiopathic, chemical/drug, viral, radiation.
Dyshaemopoietic anaemia
Multiple mechanisms e.g. anaemia of chronic disease
Defective haemoglobin synthesis.
Defective DNA synthesis.
Haemolytic anaemia can be due to 2 reasons
Intrinsic RBC abnormalities
Extrinsic abnormalities
Haemolytic anaemia + intrinsic RBC abnormalities
It can be acquired such as with PNH (haemolysis - breaking apart of RBCs) or it can be for hereditary reasons such as membrane disorders, enzyme disorders, and haemoglobin disorders.
Haemolytic anaemia + extrinsic RBC abnormalities
Antibody mediated (AIHA) Mechanical trauma (DIC) Infections (Malaria) Chemicals (lead poisioning) Sequestration (hypersplenism)
Iron deficency anaemia
This is the most common cause of anaemia caused by chronic bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, poor diet, malabsorption, hook worm.
There is a reduction in mean amount of Hb in cell and cell volume.
Types of white blood cell
Neutrophils Monocytes Lymphocytes Basophils Eosinophils
All cells except lymphocytes are termed phagocytes.
What is the most abundant WBC?
Neutrophils
What do neutrophils do?
They phagocytose bacteria and foreign material by releasing chemotaxins and cytokines important in the inflammatory response.
What is the inflammatory response?
Increased temperature
Increased blood flow
Local pain
What happens when there is a decreased number of neutrophils?
Recurrent bacterial infections
Monocytes
Macrophages which also phagocytose bacteria+foreign material. The majority transit through the blood to the tissues. They are dendritic cells which present antigens to the immune system.
How do neutrophils and monocytes differ?
Monocytes are present in tissues.
What do basophils become?
Basophils migrate to tissues becoming mast cells.
What are mast cells?
Mast cells are filled with histamine containing granules and express surface IgE. They have an important role in the immune and allergic response.
Eoisinophils
Rare
Special role in protection against parasites.
Where do B-lymphocytes mature?
Bone marrow of the rib
What percentage of lymphocytes in the blood do B-lymphocytes make up?
20%
Role of B-lymphocytea
Generate antibodies when stimulated by foreign antigens in the humoral immunity response.
Where do T-lymphocytes matures?
Thymus
What percentage of lymphocytes in the blood do T-lymphocytes make up?
80%
B-lymph have ??? receptors
T lymph have ??? receptors
B - IgE
T - TCR
Two types of T-lymph.?
Cytotoxic T-cells which target infected cells for death (cell mediated immunity).
T-helper cells stimulate the immune response of B-lymphocytes.
How does blood inside the vessels remain fluid?
Endothelial cells, anticoagulant pathway and fibrinolytic pathway actively keep it fluid. Platelets and proteins of the coagulation cascade circulate in an inactive state.
What is thrombosis?
When blood clots inside the vessel instead of outside the vessel as it should.
What do platelets contain?
Electron dense granules containing calcium, ADP/ATP and serotonin.
Alpha granules containing platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), fibrinogen, heparin antagonist (PF4) and VWF (von Willebrand Factor).
Platelets + primary haemostasis.
Platelets circulate in an inactive state. When there is damage to the blood vessel, they adhere to collagen via glycoprotein Ia on sub-endothelium.
Glycoprotein Ib and Glycoprotein IIIa bind von Willebrand Factor. Binding causes platelets to change shape and activate become elongated. Tethering of platelets causes them to activate further receptors on their surface which enables further crosslinking
Platelets + primary haemostasis.
Platelets circulate in an inactive state. When there is damage to the blood vessel, they adhere to collagen via glycoprotein Ia on sub-endothelium.
Glycoprotein Ib and Glycoprotein IIIa bind von Willebrand Factor. Binding causes platelets to change shape and activate become elongated. Tethering of platelets causes them to activate further receptors on their surface which enables further crosslinking with VWF and fibrinogen.
Activation releases contents and results in intracellular signalling causing platelets to release their stored granular contents. Aggregate to form a platelet thrombus (haemostatic plug). Lack of function leads to bleeding. Change in number leads to bleeding/thrombosis.
Platelet bleeding disorders: Bernard-Soulier syndrome
Cause and impacts?
Deficiency of GPIb receptor
Affects platelet adhesion
Platelet bleeding disorders: Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia
Cause and impacts?
Defect of GPIIb/IIIa receptor
Affects platelet cross-linking and aggregation.
Platelet bleeding disorders: Hemansky-Pudlak
Cause and impacts?
Defect in dense storage granules
Affects Platelet activation and aggregation
When is there a reduction in platelet number?
Thrombocytopenia
Increased bleeding
Spontaneous bleeding
When is there a increase in platelet number
Thrombocytosis
Arterial thrombosis
Venous thrombosis
Plasma
Clear, straw coloured liquid left after cellular component of blood is removed. It is 90% water but also has salts, glucose and proteins.
Proteins in plasma
Albumin
Carrier proteins
Coagulation proteins
Immunoglobulins
Where is albumin produced?
The liver
What is the function of albumin?
To determine oncotic pressure of the blood and keep intravascular fluid in that space and keep the pressure within vessel.
What can a lack of albumin lead to?
Oedema
seen in liver disease; nephrotic syndrome
What produces immunoglobulins?
B-lymphocytes
What are immunoglobulins?
Antibodies
Different classes of immunoglobulins?
IgG IgA IgM IgE IgD
What is the Coagulation Cascade?
Series of enzymes that circulate in an inactive state. They are sequentially activated in a ‘cascade sequence’ and convert soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin polymer. This generates a stable clot.
What does inhibition of fibrin production lead to?
Bleeding
A sign of failure of coagulation proteins
Bleeding
A sign of overactive coagulation proteins
Thrombosis
What drugs affect platelet function? When are they used?
Aspirin
Clopidogrel
Used following a heart attack to reduce risk of further clots
Hemophilia A symptom
severe bleeding into muscles and joins
Why does Hemophilia A take place?
Deficiency of factor VIII, a blood clotting protein
How is Hemophilia A treated?
Recombinant factor VIII
Hemophilia A + genetics
X-linked condition
Alternate generations
Hemophilia B
Severe bleeding into muscles and joints
Why does Haemophilia B take place?
Deficiency of factor IX
How is Hemophilia B treated?
Recombinant factor IX
Von Willebrand Disease
Usually mild bleeding disorder which is often unrecognised due to a deficiency in VWF
Affect of aspirin and clopidogrel on bleeding?
Affect platelet function by reducing it
Affect of chemotherapy on bleeding?
Reduces platelet numbers
Which drugs affect coagulation cascade?
Heparin - a natural anti-coagulant produced by basophils and mast cells which inhibits platelet function while inactivating various coaguation factors such as factor IX
Warfarin
oral anticoagulants
Affect of steroids on bleeding?
Steroids affect tissues making them weaker causing bruising and bleeding
Liver disease + Blood
Coagulation factors such as factor VIII and factor IX are synthesised in the liver so LD is often associated with bruising and bleeding and prolonged prothrombin time.
May also result in low platelets.
Vitamin K + blood
Necessary for functional activity of coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X. Warfarin interferes with the vitamin K activation pathway.
Manifests as prolonged prothrombin
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Breakdown of haemostatic balance.
Simultaneous bleeding and microvascular thrombosis which is life threatening.
Can cause sepsis
Transfusion reactions
If the patient is transfused with red blood cells that have antigens on their cell surface which the patient lacks on their own RBCs, the new RBCs are seen as foreign and they are haemolysed.
Blood group A alleles and plasma antibodies
AA or AO
Anti-B antibodies
Blood group B alleles and plasma antibodies
BB or BO
Anti-A antibodies
Blood group AB alleles and plasma antibodies
AB
No antibodies
Blood group O alleles and plasma antibodies
OO
Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies
Other blood group
Rhesus system (Rh)
5 most important antigens in the Rhesus system
D C c E e
Which is the most clinically significant antigen in the Rhesus system?
D
Responsible for the most clinical issues associated with the system
Can either be present Rh D+ or absent Rh D-
Anti-D and pregnancy
If women who are Rh D antingen negative (dd) have a baby inside which has Dd genotype, and D-antigen negative mother is exposed to D antigen from baby’s red blood cells, immunoglobins called IgG anti-D produced by the mother. As a result, baby causes transfusion reaction against mum. The IgG Anti-D can cross placenta and haemolyse the baby’s red cells.
What are packed red cells?
Packed = plasma depleted
When are platelets administered medically?
On oncology wards to patients who have bone marrow failure.
What is HAS?
Human albumin solution
Physiological plasma expender
Used to increased oncotic pressure (liver disease, nephrotic syndrome) keeping fluid within vessels.
Can reduce oedema.
What is gastrulation?
Mass movement and invagination of the blastula to form 3 layers:
- ectoderm
- mesoderm
- endoderm
What does the ectoderm eventually become?
Outside skin
Nervous system
Neural crest (which contributes to cardiac outflow and coronary arteries)
What does the mesoderm eventually become?
All types of muscle
Most systems
Kidneys
Blood
What does endoderm eventually become?
Gastrointestinal tract (including liver and pancreas, but not smooth muscle) Endocrine organs
What does FHF stand for? What will it eventually become?
First heart field (future left ventricle)
The FHF generates a scaffold which is added by the second heart field and cardiac neural crest.
What does SHF stand for? What will it eventually become?
Second heart field (future outflow tract, future right ventricle, future atria)
During which days does the primitive heart tube form?
18-22
Why does the primitive heart tube begin to form?
Diffusion alone is no longer capable of sustaining the embryo
Where do progenitor heart cells originate from?
The epiblast
What happens on day 16?
Progenitor heart cells migrate through steak to the splanchic layer of lateral plate mesodemr. Cells specialise from lateral to medial to become different parts of the heart.
Where does the secondary heart field reside?
Splanchic mesoderm ventral to the pharynx. Cells extend laterally to form the left and right outflow.
What happens when the primary heart field cells are established?
They are induced by the pharyngeal endoderm to form cardiac myoblasts ad blood islands that develop into blood cells and vessels via vasculogenesis.
What happens from the blood islands
Blood islands unite into a horse-shoe endothelia lined tube surrounded by myoblasts. This is called the CARDIOGENIC region. The intraembryolic cavity (primitive body) surrounding it develops into the PERICARDIAL CAVITY.
The bilateral and parallel blood islands develop to form dorsal aorta (pair of longitudinal vessels).
What happens as the embryo folds head to toe and laterally (coupled with the rapid growth of the brain)
The heart and pericardial cavity move first to the cervical region and then to the thorax.
What happens to the developing heart tube after this
poles
The developing heart tube receives venous drainage as its caudal pole and begins to pump blood out of the first aortic arch into the dorsal aorta at its cranial pole. It bulges more into the pericardial cavity.
What happens on day 22?
The heart begins to beat
What happens on day 23?
Heart tube lengthenes and begins to bend
As looping of the heart tube begins, what begins to appear?
Primordial structures.
The atrial portion (paired suture outside the pericardial cavity) forms a common atrium and is incorporated into the pericardial cavity.
The atriventricular junction remains narrow and forms the atrioventricular canal which connects the common atrium and the early ventricle.
What does the ‘bulbis cordis’ develop into?
The trabeculated part of the right ventricle.
What does the conus cordis (the mid-portion of the bulbus cordis) develop into?
The outflow tracts of the ventricles
Before cardiac separation, what is there?
one common atrium and one common ventricle
Process of cardiac separation
The cardiac septum forms and the septum primum extends from the endocardial cushions into the atria from the atrioventricular canal. The ostium primum (the opening between the septum and endocardial cushions) closes as the endocardial cushions extend whilst perforations appear in the upper end of the septum primum forming the ostium secondum, eventually being closed by overlap by the septum secondum. Septum secondum extends to form the superior atrial wall, where the foramen ovale is found. At birth, as the lungs become functional the left atrial pressure exceeds that of the right forcing the septum primum against the septum secondum. This forms the fossa ovalis.
Which two kinds of arteries are there?
Elastic and Muscular
Function of elastic arteries
Increase efficiency
Function of muscular arteries
Control distribution
What are the arterioles?
Terminal branches of the arteries
Examples of elastic arteries
Aorta Brachiocephalic Carotids Subclavian Pulmonary
What regulates blood flow in capillaries?
Precapillary sphincters
3 types of capillaries
Continuous
Fenestrated
Discontinuous
What drives embryonic vessel development
Angiogenic growth factors: (vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoetin 1+2) which induce growth
Repulsive signals (plexin, semaphorin signalling, ephrin interactions) which prevent growth
Active signals - VEGF
How do you determine if a vessel is an artery or a vein? (receptor)
Ephrin-B2 receptor is only present on ARTERIES.
Ephrin-B4 receptor is only present on VEINS.
What do the first and second ‘aortic arches’ become?
They become minor head vessels.
The first aortic arch becomes a small part of maxillary.
The second aortic arch becomes artery to ear
What do the third aortic arches become?
Become common carotid arteries and proximal internal carotid arteries.
Distal internal carotids come from extension of dorsal aortae.
What happens to the right dorsal aorta and right 4th aortic arch?
The right dorsal aorta loosens connection with midline aorta and the 6th aortic arch, remaining connected to the right fourth arch. It acquires branch of 7th cervical intersegmental artery, which grows into the right upper limb. The right subclavian artery is diverted from the right fourth arch, right dorsal aorta and right 7th intersegmental artery.
Left dorsal aorta and Left 4th aortic arch
The left dorsal aorta continues into trunk as the descending aorta.
The left 7th cervical intersegmental artery grows into the left subclavian artery. The left subclavian artery is diverted from the left fourth arch, left dorsal aorta and left 7th intersegmental artery.
6th aortic arch
Right 6th arch may form part of the pulmonary trunk
Left arch forms ductus arteriosus - communication between pulmonary artery and the aorta.
Platelets and disease
Thrombosis Myocardial infarction Ischaemic Stroke Critical leg ischaemia Sudden death
What is atherogenesis?
formation of fatty deposits in arteries
What is atherothrombosis?
Blood clot within artery
What percentage narrowing ensures limited blood flow?
70%
What can atherothrombosis cause?
Angina
What can the inflammatory process driving the atherosclerosis lead to?
Thinning of capillary making it erode or rupture.
This leads to atherothrombosis since body wants to heal the rupture and form a thrombus.
What happens to a platelet when its activated?
Its shape changes. It changes from smooth discoid to spiculated (spikes/pointed) and pseudopodial.
The surface area increases
There is increased possibility of cell interactions because number of receptors increases.
There is increased affinity of receptor for fibrinogen (needed for platelet aggregation),
What receptors are on the surface of a platelet?
Glycoprotein IIb/IIa receptors
50,000-100,000 copies on resting platelet
Platelet action after atherosclerotic plaque rupture
Platelets adhere to damaged vessel wall. The collagen receptors bind to subendothelial collagen which is exposed. GPIIb/IIIa receptors on platelets bind to von Willebrand factor which is attached to collagen . The α2β1 receptor binds to collagen which slows the platelets down. Platelets come to a half and GPVI binds to collagen and activates platelets. Platelets release chemical which recruit other platelets and cause aggregation.
What is platelet adhesion?
A platelet spreading out on a collagen-coated surface
Platelet activation mechanisms
See M’s notes
COX-1 (Cyclooxygenase-1) enzyme
Mediates GI mucosal integrity
COX-1 –> Prostaglandin H2 –> Thromboxane A2
Thromboxane A2 released when platelet binds to collagen and mediates aggregation as well as stimulating contraction of the artery. Low doses of aspirin INHIBIT COX-1 pathway production of T-A2 which is good during/before heart attacks to prevent thrombus.
COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) enzyme
Mediates inflammation
Mediates prostacyclin production, which inhibits platelet aggregation and affects renal function. keeps blood flowing.
COX-2/COX-1 => Prostaglandin H2 => Prostacyclin
Aspirin + COX
Low dose inhibits COX-1
High dose inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2.