CVS+ Flashcards
Define pulse pressure.
The difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is measured in millimetres of mercury.
Define blood pressure.
The pressure of blood on the walls of blood vessels in the circulatory system
What is endothelin?
An amino acid peptide that is produced by vascular endothelium.
When reading blood pressure, which number is systole and which number is diastole?
Top number is systole - the highest level your blood pressure will reach when your heat beats
Bottom number is diastole - the lowest level your blood pressure will reach when your heart relaxes between beats
What is Pouseille’s Law?
Flow = radius to the power of 4
States that the flow of a fluid (Q) is related to the viscosity of the fluid (V), the pressure gradient across the tubing (P) and the length of the tube (L).
What is Ohm’s Law?
Flow = pressure gradient/resistance
What 3 factors relate to viscosity and which is the most important?
- Haematocrit (most important)
- Blood flow
- Vessel diameter
What is auto-regulation and where is it optimum?
The ability of an organ to regulate its own blood supply
Renal, cerebral and coronary systems = excellent
Splanchnic, skeletal and muscular systems = moderate
Cutaneous = poor
Which valves are classed as atrioventricular?
The mitral valve and the tricuspid valve.
What are some of the features of the atrioventricular valves?
The mitral has two cusps, the tricuspid has three.
They are between the upper chambers of the heart (atria) and the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles)
They are intrinsic parts of their ventricles
The free edge of each cusp is attached to the chordae tendineae, which are attached to the papillary muscle. The papillary muscle contracts during systole to keep the chordae tendineae taught.
Which valves are classified as the semilunar valves?
The aortic and pulmonary valve
What are some of the features of the semilunar valves?
They are intrinsic parts of their arteries (which leave the heart)
Both have three cusps
The free edge of the cusps has a thickening, which helps to shape the valve when it is closed
What are the chordae tendineae?
A group of tough, tendinous strands in the heart. Commonly referred to as the “heart strings” since they resemble small pieces of string.
Attach on one end to the edges of the tricuspid and mitral valves of the heart and on the other end to the papillary muscles
They play a vital role in holding the atrioventricular valves in place while the heart is pumping blood
At what spinal level is the arch of the aorta?
T4
What is the surface marking for the apex beat?
The 5th intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line on the left. It is in the mitral valve area.
Define apex beat.
The furthest most point inferiorly and laterally from the sternum where the cardiac impulse is still palpable.
What produces the 1st heart sound and what is the character of the sound?
The closure of the mitral valve and the sound is ‘lub’
What produces the 2nd heart sound and what is the character of the sound?
The closure of the aortic valve and the sound is ‘dub’
What is the 3rd heart sound and who may you be able to hear it in?
Normal in under 25s as heart is more elastic and you are able to hear the blood for passive filling of the ventricle
Is there a 4th heart sound? If so, when it is heard?
Usually no! If there is it is entirely PATHOLOGICAL and is caused by the atria contracting forcefully in an effort to overcome an abnormally stiff or hypertrophic ventricle. Heard just before the first heart sound (S1).
When does the aorta fill with blood?
During systole
When do the coronary arteries fill with blood?
During diastole
What is the term for when the heart is on the opposite side?
Dextrocardia. It is a congenital abnormality (it is present from birth)
How many layers make up the heart wall? What are they?
- Epicardium — protective layer mostly made of connective tissue
- Myocardium — the muscles of the heart
- Endocardium — lines the inside of the heart and protects the valves and chambers
Which chambers of the heart discharge blood?
The atria
Which chambers of the heart receive blood?
The ventricles
Which ventricle is responsible for the apex beat?
The left ventricle
From which side is the septum depolarised?
From the left side to the right side
Which coronary artery divides and what vessels does it divide into?
The left coronary artery: divides into the left anterior descending artery and the left circumflex artery
In cardiology what does dominance refer to?
Refers to the vessel that gives rise to the posterior descending artery (the right coronary artery or the left circumflex artery)
What is the usual pattern of coronary arterial dominance?
Most (70%) people are right dominant - the right coronary artery supplies the posterior descending artery
Some (20%) people are co-dominant - the right coronary artery and the left circumflex artery each help to supply the posterior descending artery
Few (10%) are left dominant - the left circumflex artery supplies the posterior descending artery
What are the three main branches at the arch of the aorta?
(Right to left) Brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery.
What is unusual about the pulmonary vessels?
Arteries usually carry oxygenated blood and veins usually carry deoxygenated blood BUT…..
Pulmonary arteries: carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs
Pulmonary veins: carry oxygenated blood back to the heart for distribution around the body.
How many pulmonary veins are there?
4
How long does a single cardiac cycle last?
0.8 seconds (systole = 0.3s + diastole = 0.5s)
How much of the blood in the ventricles is expelled with each beat?
Not all of it, about 2/3rds.
Describe the pericardium.
It is the membrane enclosing the heart and consists of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane.
What are the papillary muscles?
Small muscles in the ventricles which attach to the atrioventricular valves via the chordae tendineae and help to anchor the valves in place whilst the heart beats.
What is the coronary sinus?
A collection of veins joined together to form a large vessel that collects blood from the heart muscle (myocardium). It delivers less-oxygenated blood to the right atrium, as do the superior and inferior vena cavae.
Which artery is used to measure blood pressure?
The brachial artery - it is convenient to compress and is at the level of the heart.
At rest, what percentage of its potential does the heart pump?
60%
What marks the start of ventricular systole?
Isovolumetric contraction.
What does the “atrial kick” refer to?
Atrial contraction that contributes the remaining 20-30% of ventricular filling.
How does the majority (70-80%) of ventricular filling occur?
In flow via diastole. The two atrioventricular valves, the tricuspid and mitral valves, are both open, so blood flows unimpeded from the atria and into the ventricles.
Which chamber of the heart do the pulmonary veins drain into?
The left atrium.
What is another term for preload?
End diastolic volume.
What is pulse pressure measured in?
Millimetres of mercury.
The cellular blood component of blood accounts for what percentage of the overall blood volume?
45%
What is the cellular blood component comprised of?
Platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells
The plasma component of blood accounts for what percentage of overall blood volume?
55%
What is plasma made from?
Proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogens)
Water
Solutes (ions, nutrients, waste products, gases)
Erythrocytes form what percentage of the blood volume?
45%
What is the name for the fraction of an anticoagulated blood sample that contains most of the white blood cells and platelets?
The buffy coat (<1% of total blood)
What is haematocrit?
Volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood
Measure of the viscosity of the blood
The level of haematocrit is related to the level of haemoglobin.
What is the total blood volume of an adult and which organ is it regulated by?
5 litres (varies depending on size, weight & muscle mass) and is regulated by the kidneys.
What is the process of creating new blood cells called?
Haematopoiesis
What is Erythropoietin?
Hormone primarily produced by the kidneys (in the renal cortex)
Plays a key role in the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Blood levels of erythropoietin are generally low unless under hypoxic stress - Erythropoietin increases the rate of production of red blood cells in response to falling levels of oxygen in the tissues
A generalised multi-potential stem cell from which all blood cells are formed is called a what?
A hemocytoblast
Where are most blood cells formed in the adult?
In the bone marrow
Which cells does the bone marrow produce?
All of the red blood cells, all of the platelets and 60-70% of the white blood cells.
Where are platelets specifically formed?
Bits of the cytoplasm of the giant cells (megakaryocytes) of the bone marrow
Where are lymphocytes produced?
The lymphatic tissues, particularly the thymus, the spleen, and the lymph nodes
Where are monocytes produced?
The reticuloendothelial tissues of the spleen, liver, lymph nodes.
What are the features of erythrocytes?
Anucleate, no mitochondria, biconcave disc shaped, 7.5 diameter, lifespan is approx. 120 days, main components are haemoglobin and glycolysis enzymes.
Produced in bone marrow and removed by liver, spleen, bone marrow or blood loss
Regulating hormone is erythropoietin
What is the name of the protein containing iron which can be found in all the red blood cells?
Haemoglobin
How many polypeptide chains is haemoglobin formed from?
Four, which in adults consist of two alpha globin chains and two beta globin chains (i.e. a2b2).
How many haem groups are there per haemoglobin molecule?
4
What is haemoglobin A2?
A normal variant of haemoglobin A that consists of two alpha and two delta chains (α2δ2) and is found at low levels in normal human blood
Describe foetal haemoglobin.
The foetus receives its blood supply via the umbilical vein from the placenta. However, by the time the blood has reached the placenta, much of its oxygen has already been used up by the mother. Consequently, foetal haemoglobin needs to be able to bind oxygen with a higher affinity than maternal blood, if enough oxygen is to reach the foetus.
At birth, approximately 50-95% of the child’s haemoglobin is foetal haemoglobin, but after six months, these levels decline and adult haemoglobin becomes predominant
Describe the normal Hb adult levels.
HbA (a2b2) = 96-98%
HbA2 (α2δ2) = 1.5-3.2%
HbF (a2Y2) = 0.5-0.8%
What is anaemia?
Deficiency/lack of red blood cells or Hb in the blood reducing the ability of the blood to carry oxygen
What type of cell can be subdivided into phagocytes and lymphocytes?
Leukocytes (white blood cells)
What is the function of white blood cells and what makes them easily distinguishable from other cells?
They are cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invader.
Distinguishing factor = all white blood cells have nuclei!!!
What are phagocytes and which cells are categorised as phagocytes?
Type of cell capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria and other small cells and particles – neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils
What are granulocytes?
White blood cell with secretory granules in its cytoplasm = neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils
What are agranulocytes?
Also known as mononuclear leukocytes
White blood cells with a one-lobed nucleus
They are characterised by the absence of granules in their cytoplasm
= Lymphocytes and monocytes
Which is the most abundant type of leukocyte (white blood cell)?
Neutrophil = 60-70% of total WBC count
Which is the least abundant type of leukocyte (white blood cell)?
Basophil = 1% total WBC count
Name some of the features of neutrophils.
They have multilobed nucleus. Most abundant type of WBC. Forms puss, acute inflammation and phagocytic function Lifespan of 6 hours Granulocytes
Name some of the features of lymphocytes.
Have a fried egg appearance. Either B or T. B lymphocyte becomes plasma and produces antibodies T cells mediate inflammation 20-50% total WBC Agranular
Name some of the features of monocytes.
Kidney shaped nucleus
Differentiate into dendritic cells or macrophages. Adaptive immunity role
2-10% total WBC count
Agranular
Name some of the features of eosinophils.
Double lobed nucleus Acidophilic (red staining) granules Upregulated in parasitic infection 1-6% of WBCs Granular
Name some of the features of basophils.
Deep blue staining granules containing heparin, histamine, serotonin, prostaglandins –> role in allergic response.
IgE receptors
Granular
1% of WBCs
Other than the blood, where are platelets most commonly found?
In the spleen
What is another term for platelets?
Thrombocytes. Thrombocytopenia = low number Thrombocytosis = high number
Describe some of the features of platelets.
- Originate from megakaryocytes.
- Anucleate cells which circulate in an inactive state (keep the blood fluid) responsible for primary haemostasis, adhere, activate and aggregate to form a platelet thrombus
- Found in the blood and spleen
- Lifespan on 7-10 days
- Have two types of secretion vesicles: electron dense granules (calcium, ADP/ATP, serotonin) and alpha granules (platelet derived growth factor, fibrinogen, heparin antagonist, vWF)
What are platelets activated by?
Tissue factor
What are the only cells where tissue factor is NOT present?
Endothelial cells
Describe haemostasis.
Refers to the normal response of the vessel to
injury by forming a clot that serves to limit haemorrhage
Concerned with maintaining the balance of blood flow (so it is liquid in the vessels but will clot outside)
Coordinated effort between platelets and blood clotting proteins to form a blood clot and the contraction of damaged blood vessels to stop the bleed
What happens before a platelet plug begins to form?
Vasoconstriction - decreases blood flow to the area and decreases pressure in the damaged vessel. Occurs because of neural control and the release of endothelin-1 (released from endothelial cells)
Briefly describe the formation of a platelet plug.
- Endothelium disrupted exposing collagen fibres.
- Platelets adhere to Von Willebrand
factor (VWF) which is adhered to the collagen via - glycoprotein 1b receptor on platelet membrane - PLATELET ADHESION - Triggers the platelet to release platelet dense granules and thrombin via exocytosis
- Platelets change shape and become spiculated which increases their surface area - called PLATELET ACTIVATION
- Causes platelets to bind to fibrinogen enabling new platelets to adhere to the old ones - PLATELET AGGREGATION
Why doesn’t the platelet plug expand away from the damaged endothelium to invade the undamaged endothelium?
Undamaged endothelium releases:
- Prostaglandin-1 = vasodilator & inhibits aggregation
- Nitric oxide (NO) = vasodilator & inhibits platelet adhesion, activation & aggregation
When platelets change shape and become spiculated what is this process called?
Platelet activation
What is the name for the process whereby platelets bind to fibrinogen to enable new platelets to adhere to the old ones?
Platelet aggregation
Which protein polymer does a blood clot/thrombus mainly consist of?
Fibrin
What is the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade?
Only uses componants from inside the blood
The pathway that generates the large amounts of thrombin needed for adequate coagulation
Begins with factor XII plasma protein - contact activation via collagen
What is the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade?
Uses components from outside of the blood
Thrombin produced in this pathway is too little but triggers intrinsic pathway
Begins with tissue factor (plasma protein) that binds to factor VII
Clotting is usually initiated by extrinsic pathway but will always end up in the intrinsic path!
What is the coagulation cascade initiated by?
Activation of factor XII or the generation of the tissue factor
What is the aim of the coagulation cascade?
To form a fibrin clot
What links together the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the coagulation cascade?
Thrombin
What does thrombin do?
Converts the soluble fibrinogen to the insoluble fibrin which can be used to secure the blood clot and build it up
What breaks down fibrin?
Plasmin
Briefly describe the fibrinolytic pathway.
Plasminogen is converted into Plasmin which breaks down fibrin and therefore breaks down the entire blood clot (thrombus).
How many blood groups are there?
4: A, B, AB and O
Group is determined by which antigen the red cells carry
Which blood group is the universal donor group?
Type O-
Has neither ABO or RhD antigens on the surface of the red cells
Which blood group is the universal recipient group?
Type AB+
Has both A and B antigens on the red blood cells but neither of the antigens are present in the plasma
Which plasma type is the universal donor?
AB because it does not carry any antibodies.
Which plasma type is the universal recipient?
O because it carries A and B antibodies
When is your blood rhesus positive?
If the RhD antigen is present
When is your blood rhesus negative?
If the RhD antigen is absent
When does Rhesus Disease/ Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn occur?
Only occurs when the mother has rhesus negative blood (RhD-) and the baby has rhesus positive blood (RhD+)
For it to occur mother must have been previously sensitised to RhD+ blood – this is probably from a previous pregnancy
Prevented using injections of anti-D immunoglobulin
Describe the distribution of total blood volume.
Veins 64%, arteries 13%, pulmonary vessels 9%, heart 7%, capillaries 5% and arterioles 2%
Describe the distribution of resistance in the circulatory system.
Arterioles 47%, capillaries 27%, large arteries 19%, veins 7%