Cardiovascular Systems 3 - Cardiovascular Mechanics 2 Flashcards
What are the two main phases of the heart, and what proportion of the heart beat do they take up?
- Diastole is the relaxation of the ventricle, which is split into 4 distinct phases
- Systole is the contraction of the ventricle, which is split into 3 phases.
- Diastole is 2/3 of the heartbeat, and systole is 1/3.
List the 3 phases of systole.
- Isovolumetric contraction
- Rapid ejection
- Slow ejection
List the 4 phases of diastole.
- Isovolumetric relaxation
- Rapid passive filling
- Slow passive filling
- Atrial systole
How can the stroke volume be calculated?
End diastolic volume - end systolic volume
How can the ejection fraction be calculated?
Stoke volume / end diastolic volume x 100
Describe the process of atrial systole.
- The P wave on an ECG signifies the start of the heartbeat
- The ventricles are already filling slowly via movement of blood down its pressure gradient. To finish vetricular filling, there is contraction of the atria
When is the 4th heart sound heard?
When there is arterial stenosis, resulting in a greatly thickened ventricular wall.
Describe the process that occurs in isovolumetric contraction.
- This is where the ventricle is contracting and pressure is increasing but there is no change in volume, as the pressure must be high enough to open the aortic valve/pulmonary valve.
- Accompanied by the QRS complex - signifying ventricular depolarisation.
What causes the first heart sound (lub)?
The AV valve closing due to increasing ventricular pressure.
What happens during rapid ejection?
- The aortic and pulmonary valves open at this stage
- He volume in the ventricles decreases
What happens during reduced ejection?
- End of systole
- There is a reduced pressure gradient, so the pulmonary and aortic valves start to close. Blood leaving the ventricle slows. Finally, the valves fully close.
What happens during isovolumetric relaxation?
- All valves are shut
- There is no change in ventricular volume, but the pressure decreases. Atrial pressure increases as blood flows in.
What does the T wave signify?
Ventricular depolarisation
What causes the second heart sound?
Closing of the semilunar valves
What happens in rapid passive filling?
- The pressure in the atria overcomes that in the ventricle, so the AV node opens.
- Blood flows into the ventricles
What causes the third heart sound?
- Usually abnormal - turbulent ventricular filling
- Due to hypertension or mitral incompetence
What is another name for reduced passive filling?
Diastasis