Ch3. Cardiovascular Physiology Flashcards
What is the stressed volume?
the blood volume contained in the arteries
What is the site of highest resistance in the cardiovascular system?
arterioles
Arteriolar resistance is regulated by
the autonomic nervous system
alpha-1 adrenergic receptors are found on what parts of the CV system
arterioles of the skin, splanchnic and renal circulations
beta-2 adrenergic receptors are found on what parts of the CV system?
arterioles of skeletal muscle
What is considered the unstressed volume?
The blood volume contained in the veins
Velocity of blood flow is expressed as which equation?
v=Q/a
velocity (Cm/sec)
Q- blood flow (ml/min)
A= cross sectional area (cm2)
Define capacitance
distensibility of blood vessels
Capacitance is inversely related to?
elastance or stiffness
**the greater the amount of elastic tissue there is in a blood vessel, the higher the elastance is, and the lower the compliance is
Capacitance is much greater in which part of the CV system?
Greater for veins than for arteries
**more blood volume in veins (unstressed volume) than in the arteries (stressed volume)
What are the mean pressures of systemic circulation:
-aorta
-arterioles
-capillaries
-vena cava
aorta: 100 mmHg
arterioles: 50 mmHg
capillaries: 20 mm Hg
Vena Cava: 4 mmHg
Systolic arterial pressure is measured when?
after the heart contract & systole) and blood is ejected into the arterial system
Diastolic arterial pressure is measured when?
the heart is relaxed (diastole) and blood is returned to the heart via the veins
Define pulse pressure
the difference between systolic and distaolic pressure
What is the most important determinant of pulse pressure?
stroke volume
define mean arterial pressure
average arterial pressure with respect to time
**not the simple average of diastolic and systolic pressure (b/c a greater fraction of cardiac cycle is spent in diastole
Mean arterial pressure calculation
diastolic pressure + 1/3 of pulse pressure
What is the p wave of the electrocardiogram?
atrial depolarization
PR interval of the electrocardiogram represents
conduction velocity through the AV node
**Inc in PR interval, dec AV nodal conduction (heart block)
QRS complex of the electrocardiogram represents
depolarization of the ventricles
What does the QT interval of the electrocardiogram represent?
depolarization and repolarization of the ventricles
What does the T wave represent of the electrocardiogram?
ventricular reprolarization
The cardiac resting membrane potential is determined by what?
conductance of K and approaches the K equilibrium potential
What is the role of Na-K ATPase in the cardiac action potential?
maintain ionic gradients across cell membranes
Describe phase 0 of the cardiac action potential.
-upstroke of the action potential
-caused by transient increase in Na conductance
**increase results in an inward Na current that depolarizes the membrane
-at peak of the action potential, membrane potential approaches the Na equillibrium
Describe phase 1 of the cardiac action potential.
-initial repolarization caused by an outward current, b/c of movement of K ions out of the cell and b/c of dec in Na conductance
Describe phase 2 of the cardiac action potential
plateau of the action potential
-caused by transient increase in Ca conductance, which results in an inward Ca current and by inc in K conductance
-during phase 2, outward & inward currents are approximately equal
**membrane potential is stable
Describe phase 3 of the cardiac action potential.
repolarization
-during phase 3, Ca conductance decreases and K conductance increases
-high K conductance results in lg outward K current, which hyperpolarizes the membrane back toward K equilibrium potential
Describe phase 4 of the cardiac action potential.
resting membrane potential
-period during which inward and outward currents are equal and the membrane potential approaches the K equilibrium potential
which phases of the cardiac cycle are not present in SA node?
phases 1 and 2
The upstroke of the action potential in the AV node is the result of:
inward Ca current
**as in the SA node
Describe conduction velocity
the time required for excitation to spread throughout cardiac tissue
Where is the conduction velocity the fastest and slowest?
-fastest: Purkinje system
-slowest: AV node
Why is conduction velocity slowest at the AV node?
to allow for ventricular filling before ventricular contraction
What are the phases in which no action potential can be initiated, regardless of how much inward current is supplied?
absolute refractory period
effective refractory period
When can an action potential be elicites, but more than the usual inward current is required?
relative refractory period
What is the difference between positive and negative chronotropic effects?
negative: decreases heart rate by decreasing firing rate of SA node
positive: increases heart rate by increasing the firing rate of the SA node
Dromotropic effects on the heart produce changes in conduction velocity at what level?
primarily in the AV node
On which parts of the heart do we see parasympathetic vagal innervation?
SA note
atria
AV node
parasympathetic effects on the heart and conduction velocity is mediated by which neurotransmitter?
acetylcholine
**acts at muscarinic receptors
What is the parasympathetic effect on the heart?
dec heart rate, dec conduction velocity (AV node) and dec contractility (atria only)
**muscarinic receptors
What is the sympathetic effect on the heart?
inc heart rate, inc conduction velocity and increase contractility (beta 1)
What are the autonomic effects on vascular smooth muscle?
constriction: alpha 1– skin, splanchnic
relaxation skeletal mm– beta 2
Sympathetic effects on the heart rate and conduction velocity are mediated by which neurotransmitter?
norepinephrine
**on Beta 1 receptors