CVS Flashcards
To cover most aspects of CVS for ESA 2. This is only for revision purposes, you'll need to do your own stuff. Everything contained is may be shit, use at your own risk. Note: You will still need to go through vital signs, ECG prep and embryology.
Are arteries high resistance or low resistance vessels?
Low resistance
Define the term after-load on the ventricular myocardium
The force necessary to expel blood into the arteries
Define the term pre-load on the ventricular myocardium
When the ventricular myocardium is fully stretched and is exerting the same pressure as the venous pressure
Describe the response of the cardiovascular system to eating a meal
-Increased activity of the gut leads to the release of metabolites and local vasodilation -The total peripheral resistance falls, causing the arterial pressure to fall and the venous pressure to rise. -The rise in venous pressure and fall in arterial pressure causes a rise in cardiac output and heart rate. -The extra pumping of the heart reduces venous pressure and raises arterial pressure
How does the cerebral circulation meet the high demand of oxygen?
-High capillary density -High basal flow rate -High extraction rate
How is a secure cerebral blood supply created?
-Structurally - anastomoses between basilar and internal carotid artery -Functionally - brainstem regulates other circulations, myogenic autoregulation and metabolic factors
How might drugs be used to treat hypertension?
Drugs used in the treatment of hypertension act to reduce cardiac output and/or peripheral resistance. For example ACE-inhibitors, diuretics, adrenoceptor blocks and calcium channel blockers.
How would you work out the average pressure?
Diastolic pressure plus 1/3rd pulse pressure (Systole is shorter than diastole)
In the lungs what effect does an increase in the capillary pressure have on lymph?
More fluid to leave, oedema forming.
In the pulmonary circulation what pressures are found in the arteries and veins?
Arterial 12-15mmHg Venous 5 mmHg Capillaries in the middle
Is hypoplastic left heart syndrome compatible with life?
Without intervention this can be lethal.
List the five types of acyanotic heart defect.
-ASD -PFO -VSD -PDA -Coarctation of the Aorta
In pacemaker cells what causes the gradual depolarisation of the cells?
The funny (If) current carried by Na+ ions via slow Na+ channels that open as the potential goes very negative (repolarisation)
If there was no parasympathetic or sympathetic activity acting on the heart what would be the intrinsic heart rate? Why is the resting heart actually 60bpm?
100bpm however, the resting as there is lower as there is more parasympathetic activity acting on the heart than sympathetic
List the four types of cyanotic heart defect.
-Tetralogy of fallot -Tricuspid atresia -Transposition of the great arteries -Hypoplastic left heart
Suggest some vasodilators to increase capillary recruitment and vasodilation of capillaries.
-Adrenaline acts on B2 receptors causing vasodilation -K+ -Increased osmolarity -Adenosine -Inorganic phosphates -H+
What are inotropic drugs?
Drugs that affect the force of contraction of the heart
What are pericytes?
These cells are capable of dividing into muscle cells, or fibroblasts during angiogenesis, tumour growth and wound healing
What are the four abnormalities of tetralogy of fallot?
-VSD -Overriding aorta -Pulmonary stenosis -Right ventricular hypertrophy
What are the two heart sounds created by?
S1 - mitral and tricuspid S2 - aortic and pulmonary
What are the two layers which make up serous pericardium?
-Parietal layer (outside layer - next to fibrous) -Visceral layer (inner layer - adheres to heart)
What are the two circulations in the lungs?
-Bronchial -Pulmonary
What are the ways used to reduce the workload of the heart in angina?
-β-blockers -Ca2+ channel blockers -Organic nitrates
What are vasa vasorum? Where are they found?
Translated as “vessels of vessels” - little blood vessels that supply the big ones. They are found in the Tunica Adventitia of the vessels.
What are the two types of resistance vessels?
-Arterioles -Pre-capillary sphincters
What are VSDs?
VSDs are an opening in the interventricular septum (most commonly the membranous portion of the septum) can occur at any point. Since left ventricular pressure is much higher blood flows from left to right.
What can chronic hypoxia in the pulmonary circulation lead to?
-Increase in vascular resistance -Chronic pulmonary hypertension -Right ventricle pumps harder -Right ventricular heart failure
What conditions might cause an increased risk of thrombus formation?
-Atrial fibrillation -Valve disease
What conditions might first degree heart block be a sign of?
-Coronary artery disease -Acute rheumatic carditis -Digoxin toxicity -Electrolyte disturbances
What diuretic action do ACE inhibitors have?
Prevents release of angiotensin II and therefore prevents release of aldosterone from the zona glomerulsa. Usually aldosterone causes water retention, increasing blood volume so reducing it decreases blood volume and decreases pre-load to the heart.
What does coarctation of the aorta result in?
The narrowing of the aorta increases the afterload on the left ventricle and can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy.
What factors oppose vasomotor tone?
Vasodilator factors (H+, K+ and Adenosine)
What does coarctation of the aorta result in?
The narrowing of the aorta increases the afterload on the left ventricle and can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy.
What factors oppose vasomotor tone?
Vasodilator factors (H+, K+ and Adenosine)
What happens to the flow rate when the viscosity of a fluid is increased?
The middle layers will slow down so the mean velocity of flow decreases
What happens to the pacemaker potential to decrease the heart rate? How does this occur?
Makes the pacemaker potential less steep by acetylcholine acting on M2 receptors.
What are the four basic classes of anti-arrhythmic drugs?
-Drugs that block voltage gated Na+ channels -Antagonists of β-adrenoceptors -Drugs that block K+ channels -Drugs that block Ca2+channels
What happens to the pacemaker potential to increase the heart rate? How does this occur?
Makes the pacemaker potential more steep by noradrenaline targeting B1 receptors.
What is a paradoxical embolism?
A PFO can be the route by which a venous embolism reaches the systemic circulation if pressure on the right side of the heart increases even for a minute.
What is a patent ductus arteriosus?
It is the failure of the ductus arteriosus to close. This is a vessel that exists in the foetus to shunt blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta before the lungs are functioning. It should close shortly after birth as the pressure in the pulmonary artery drops following perfusion of the lungs.
What is an acyanotic defect?
A defect that does not result in a lower than normal concentration of oxygen in the blood.
What are the three layers of a blood vessel called?
-Tunica Intima – Next to the lumen -Tunica Media – Intermediate -Tunica Adventitia – Outer layer
What is an atrial septal defect?
An ASD is an opening in the septum between the two atria, which persists following birth.
Other than their diuretic action what other action do ACE inhibitors have?
Prevent the formation of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, thus promoting vasodilation of arterioles and venous dilation. This decreases both afterload and preload to the heart.
What is coarctation of the aorta?
Narrowing of the aortic lumen in the region of the ligamemtum arteriosum (former ductus arteriosus)
What is contractility increased by physiologically?
An increased sympathetic activity which therefore makes the heart more susceptible to venous pressure.
Suggest 3 reasons why an arrhythmia might arise?
Ectopic pacemaker activity
After-depolarisations
Re-entry loop (normal spread disrupted by damaged area)
What is Cushing’s reflex?
Brain is in a rigid cranium, legions lead to an increase in intercranial pressure. Cushing’s reflex is where this increased pressure leads to reduced blood flow to vasomotor control regions in the brainstem which causes an increase in sympathetic vasomotor tone and therefore restores higher blood flow to brain.
What are after-depolarisations?
Abnormal depolarisations following the action potential, thought to be caused by high intracellular Ca2+ (leads to longer QT interval)
What is hypoplastic left heart syndrome?
The underdevelopment of the left ventricle and the ascending aorta. A PFO or ASD are also present and blood supply to the systemic circulation is via a ductus arteriosus.
What is hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction? Why is it important?
If the oxygen levels drop you get constriction of the blood vessels which diverts blood to the better alveoli, ensuring that perfusion matches ventilation.
What is meant by laminar flow?
In laminar flow, there is a gradient of velocity from the middle to the edge of the vessel. Velocity is highest in the centre, and fluid is stationary at the edge.
What is meant by the term viscosity? (in reference to flow)
The extent to which fluid layers resist sliding over one another.
State some specific features of cardiac muscle
Striations
Branching
Centrally positioned nuclei (1 or 2 per cell)
Intercalated discs
Adherens-type junctions
Gap junctions
The T tubules of cardiac muscle are inline with the Z bands and not with the A-I band junction
What is meant by turbulent flow?
As the mean velocity increases, flow eventually becomes turbulent. The velocity gradient breaks down as layers of fluid try to move over each other faster than physics will allow.
What is myogenic autoregulation in the cerebral blood flow?
Cerebral resistance vessels have a well developed myogenic response to changes in transmural pressure
What is pulmonary stenosis? What does it result in?
Narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract, resulting in more right ventricular hypertrophy as it needs to force blood through the pulmonary artery a lot harder
How does the elastic nature of arteries acts to reduce arterial pressure fluctuation between systole and diastole?
Arteries have distensible walls, allowing them to stretch in systole. More blood flows in than out, so pressure does not rise so much. The arteries recoil in diastole and flow continues through the arterioles.
What is reactive hyperaemia?
Blood flow is cut off to an organ/ limb (ischaemia). The organ/limb continues metabolising and producing vasodilators during the period of no circulation. When the blood is returned, the vessels are massively dilated.
How long is the QRS complex normally?
0.12s (3 squares) or less
What is required for a patient with tricuspid atresia to survive?
Both an ASD (or PFO) AND a VSD (or PDA)
What is the average maximum cardiac output of a non athlete?
20-25 l/min
What is the benefit of a high NO production by the coronary endothelium?
Maintains high basal flow
What is the diastolic pressure?
The minimum arterial pressure affected by the systolic pressure and total peripheral resistance
What is the approximate volume of blood in the body?
5 litres
What is the diastolic pressure?
The minimum arterial pressure affected by the systolic pressure and total peripheral resistance
How is hypoplastic left heart syndrome caused?
If part of the endocardial tube gets pinched shut in a region that becomes the future ventricle, hypoplastic heart syndrome will occur.
What is the difference between a PFO and an ASD?
A PFO is not a true ASD as a flap still exists and is kept closed by the higher pressure of left atrium
What is the effect of exercise on pulmonary outflow?
-Increased cardiac output -Small increase in pulmonary arterial pressure -Opens apical capillaries -Transit time (time any red blood cells spends in the capillary) is reduced -Increased oxygen uptake by lungs
How does vasoconstriction occur?
Located in the outer tunic adventitia are unmyelinated nerve endings. Sympathetic nerve fibres stimulate vasoconstriction by releasing noradrenaline at the nerve endings and diffuses through fenestration in the external elastic lamina into the external tunica media to depolarise some of the superficial smooth muscle cells. Depolarisation is propagated to all cells of the tunic media via gap junctions.
What is the fibrous pericardium?
A tough connective tissue outer layer that defines the boundaries of the middle mediastinum.
What is the most common type of heart defect?
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
What is the most distensible type of vessel?
Veins