control of blood flow Flashcards
What is TPR?
Total peripheral resistance
The force required to maintain blood flow
TPR= BP/CO
What is the purpose of TPR?
Increase in TPR = need to increase the pressure to keep the same flow
What 3 things control TPR?
- Poiseulle’s Law
- Myogenic response
- Blood viscosity
High viscosity = more resistant to pressure
Low viscosity = less resistant to pressure
What is the formula used to measure blood flow (CO)?
CO= BP (pressure gradient)/TPR
Describe how blood pressure affects blood flow in a NORMAL situation
(1) Normal blood pressure in artery
(2) Low blood pressure in arterioles
(3) Normal blood flow in capillaries
Describe how low blood pressure can affect blood flow
(1) Low blood pressure in artery
(2) Vasodilation occurs = lower TPR
(3) Increases blood flow in capillaries
Describe how high blood pressure can affect blood flow
(1) High blood pressure upstream
(2) Vasoconstriction occurs = higher TPR
(3) Decreased blood flow in capillaries downstream
What medical term can be used to describe someone with high blood pressure and why?
Hypertension
Over constriction of arterioles = higher arterial BP = less capillary flow = under perfused areas (low in oxygen)
What is the function of the brain stem in terms of blood flow around the body?
Brain stem areas control sympathetic nervous activity in various areas of the body depending on their level of demand
Describe the changes in blood flow when a person is sedentary
→ Superior mesenteric dilated
Increases blood flow to intestines
→ Common iliac constricted
Decreases blood flow to legs
Describe the changes in blood flow when a person is exercising
→ Superior mesenteric constricted
Decreases blood flow to intestines
→ Common iliac dilated
Increased blood flow to legs
What is Poiseuille’s law?
Describes parameters that control/determine TPR
What is meant by the R^4 effect?
Bigger radius = less resistance = more cardiac output
What is the main vessel involved in the TPR?
Arterioles
→ Arterioles have the largest pressure drop
→ Arterioles radius is tightly controlled by sympathetic nerves providing constriction and dilation
- Arterioles are long vessels
Why is TPR not controlled by capillaries?
Even though they have a smaller radius…
○ Less resistance to blood flow = lower pressure drop
Less resistance because bolus flow reduces viscosity
○ No sympathetic innervation OR smooth muscle = cannot alter radius
-Individual capillaries are short