CVS Flashcards
What is the base of the heart called (furthest to the bottom)
Apex
What are coronary arteries?
Arteries that supply well oxygenated blood to the myocardium
What is the name given to the heart muscle?
Myocardium
What is the problem with the coronary arteries in terms of blood supply and risk of blockage?
They are end arteries with little anastomoses
This makes them prone to atheroma -> stenosis due to atheromatous plaque formation
What are the first 3 large arteries coming off the arch of the aorta?
1 - brachiocephalic
2 - right common carotid
3 - left subclavian artery
At what intercostal space is the apex of the heart found?
5th intercostal space
What vertical line is the apex of the heart found?
Mid-clavicular line
At what intercostal/costal space is the pulmonary trunk found?
2nd intercostal space
What is the cover for the heart called?
Pericardial sac
What are the two layers of the pericardium called?
Visceral and parietal layer
Visceral - inner
Parietal - outer
What is the parasympathetic innervation nerve that supplies the heart muscle?
L and R - Vagus nerve
What is the name of the space behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk?
Transverse pericardial sinus
Arteries in front of the veins
What two vessels lie anterior to the transverse pericardial sac?
Pulmonary trunk to the left
Aorta to the right
What is the oblique pericardial sinus?
The oblique sinus of the pericardial cavity is a blind ending passage posterior to the heart formed by the reflections of the visceral and parietal pericardium onto the vessels traversing the space
What is the name of the extended appendage of the right and left atria?
Right and left auricle
What are the main coronary arteries?
Right and left coronary arteries
Circumflex
What are the left coronary arteries branches?
LCA -> Circumflex branch -> Left marginal artery
LCA -> Anterior intraventricular (Left anterior descending) artery + diagonal artery
What are the right coronary artery branches?
RCA -> Right marginal artery (for right ventricle) + Atrioventricular nodal artery
Name the cardiac veins?
Right ventricle - Small cardiac vein -> coronary sinus
Left ventricle - Middle cardiac vein (posterior inter ventricular septum) + Great cardiac vein (anterior inter ventricular septum)
Posterior L atrium -> Oblique vein of left atrium
All drain into coronary sinus -> right atrium
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the right atrium?
SVC - 8-10mmHg / 0-8mmHg
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the right ventricle?
15-20mmHg / 0-8mmHg
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the pulmonary arteries?
15-25mmHg / 8-15mmHg
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the left atrium?
4-12mmHg
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the left ventricle?
110-130/ 4-12 mmHg
What is the approximate pressure of blood in the Aorta?
110-130 / 70-80 mmHg
What are the 3 layers of the arteries?
Tunica intima - epithelial layer + internal elastic lamina
Tunica media - muscular layer
Tunica externa - external elastic layer
Tunica adventitia - connective tissue layer
What is the difference between large, medium and small arteries in their function?
Large - elastic highest amount of pressure but also empties fastest therefore needs to rebound
Medium - distributing layer - muscle layer - controls where blood goes
Small (arterioles) - resistance vessels - control blood pressure
When looking at aortic pule pressure why is there a dichrotic notch?
Blood leaves ventricles - ventricular ejection
Blood pressure rises initially then starts to decrease as the blood leaving the heart starts to decrease in pressure. Then there is a second peak which is due to the aortic valves closing and the pressure caused by the blood pushing back
At rest what is roughly the normal stroke volume?
55-83ml/ blood
During exercise what is approximately the max stroke volume?
200ml
What are the 3 layers of the heart?
Epicardium - serous membrane smooth surface
Myocardium - middle layer of cardiac muscle
Endocardium - smooth inner surface of heart chambers
What is the name given to the muscular ridges in the auricles and right atrial wall?
Pectinate muscles
What is the name given to the muscular ridges and columns on inside walls of ventricles?
Trabeculae carnae
How many leaflets are found in the valves?
Tricuspid- 3 leaflets
Bicuspid/ Mitral - 2 leaflets
Aortic valve/ Pulmonary valve - 3 leaflets each
Why is erythrocyte sedimentation rate used and what is it a marker of?
It is used if there is a worry of increased blood viscosity
It is usually due to inflammatory reasons hence would have immune products inside it such as complement, CRP, Fibrinogen.
How does pressure change from the arteries to the vena cava?
Arteries - high pressure pulsating as per the BP
Large and medium arteries - pressure remains high due to the elasticity
Arterioles - pressure decreases rapidly
Capillaries - pressure the least as there is a huge cross-sectional space of blood vessels
Veins - very low pressure system but slightly higher pressures that capillaries as the vessels merge into larger veins
What is the pulse pressure calculation?
SBP - DBP
What is the mean arterial pressure calculation?
DBP + (1/3 of SBP-DBP)
Or DBP + 1/3 pulse pressure
OR cardiac output x total peripheral resistance
What do we feel when measuring the pulse?
The shock wave that arrives slightly before the blood itself
What is the total peripheral resistance calculation?
Mean aortic pressure - central venous pressure / Cardiac output
What are Karotkoff sounds?
The sounds heard when releasing a pressure cuff from limb when trying to obtain BP readings.
First sound is the sound of the SBP turbulent flow -> DBP - when the turbulent flow now becomes laminar and can’t be heard
Why are cardiac contractions longer than skeletal muscle?
To allow the muscle to fully contract which would allow most of the blood to be forced out.
How long is each single contraction of the heart?
280milliseconds
How do the valves stop from being forced in the opposite direction of the force of blood against it on ventricular contraction?
Cusp shaped
Chordae tendineae attach to papillary muscles which are attached to the cardiac muscle
Where are the pacemaker cells of the heart?
SA node
How long is the delay from AV node -> Perkinje fibres?
120ms
Which direction in the heart muscle does the electrical activity pass through?
From inner -> outer surface
What are the 7 phases of a cardiac cycle?
1 - atrial contraction 2 - isovolumetric contraction 3 - rapid ejection 4 - reduced ejection 5 - isovolumetric relaxation 6 - rapid filling 7 - reduced filling
How long does the heart stay approximately in systole and diastole?
Diastole - 0.55seconds (61%)
Systole - 0.35seconds (39%)
Total 0.9seconds
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during atrial contraction?
AP = rises AV = decreases LVP = rises LVV = rises ECG = P wave PCG = Pre-S1 i.e. no sound yet
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during Isovolumetric contraction?
AP = rises slightly due to closing of mitral valve putting pressure in atria AV = decreased LVP = Rapid rise LVV = Isovolumetric therefore no change ECG = QRS PCG = S1 heart sound - mitral valve closing
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during the first rapid ejection from the left ventricle?
AP = decreases as the atrial base is pulled downwards as the ventricle contracts AV = no change LVP = rises but not as quickly as isovolumetric contraction LVV = Rapidly declines as blood leaves into aorta ECG = S-T segment PCG = No heart sounds
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during reduced ejection?
AP = gradually rises due to continued venous return from lungs AV = rises LVP = Starts to decline as repolarisation of ventricles LVV = Almost at the least pressure ECG = T-wave PCG = no sound
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during isovolumetric relaxation?
AP = rises slightly AV = constant LVP = rapid decline in pressure LVV = remains constant all valves closed ECG = End of T-wave PCG = S2 heart sound
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during rapid filling?
AP = fall in pressure AV = decreases LVP = intraventricular pressure
What happens to atrial pressure, atrial volume, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular volume, ECG tracing and phonocardiogram during reduced filling?
AP = Flat - steady AV = Flat - steady LVP = Flat - steady LVV = Flat steady - ventricles reach inherent relaxed volume. Further filling is driven by venous pressure. ECG = Up to P wave PCG = No heart sounds
What is the difference between stenosis and regurgitation?
Stenosis - pressure pushing blood through but narrowing makes it difficult
Regurgitation - back leakage when valve should be closed
What are 3 causes of aortic valve stenosis?
1 - degenerative (senile calcification/ fibrosis)
2 - congenital (bicuspid form of valve)
3 - chronic rheumatic fever - inflammation - commissural fusion - streptococcal infection - autoimmune response
What type of heart sound is heard in aortic valve stenosis?
Crescendo-decrescendo murmur
S1 merges into S2
What is a compensatory mechanism by the heart due to increased LV pressure?
LV hypertrophy
What is a side effect of left sided heart failure?
Syncope
Angina
What is a haematological problem due to aortic valve stenosis?
Shear stress -> microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
What are 2 causes of aortic valve regurgitation?
Aortic root dilation - leaflets pulled apart
Valvular damage - endocarditis rheumatic fever
What is aortic valve regurgitation?
Blood flows back into the LV during diastole
What effects does aortic valve regurgitation have on stroke volume, SBP, DBP?
Stroke volume - increases
SBP - increases
DBP - decreases
What is a side effect on the myocardium of aortic valve regurgitation?
LV hypertrophy
What are the heart sounds of aortic valve regurgitation?
Early decrescendo diastolic murmur
S2 continuous decrescendo till S1
How is a aortic valve regurgitation pulse described as?
Bounding pulse
Can be seen in head bobbing or Quinke’s sign
What causes mitral valve regurgitation?
(1) Chordae tendineae and papillary muscle weaken due to myxomatous degeneration leading to tissue prolapse
(2) Damage to papillary muscle after heart attack
(3) Left sided heart failure leads to LV dilation which can stretch the valve
(4) Rheumatic fever can lead to leaflet fibrosis which disrupts seal formation
What type of murmur would a mitral valve regurgitation cause?
Holosystolic murmur
S1 to S2 constantly heard
What are the main causes of mitral valve stenosis?
99.9% - Rheumatic fever
Commissar also fusion of valve leaflets
What are the end results of mitral valve stenosis?
Increased left atrial pressure -> LA dilation -> (1) Atrial fibrillation -> thrombus formation
(2) Oesophagus compression -> dysphagia
Inc LA pressure -> Pulmonary oedema, dyspnoea, pulmonary HTN -> RV hypertrophy
What is the murmur heard if a patient has mitral valve stenosis?
Snap as valve opens - diastolic rumble
Murmur heard before the S1 HS and no more sounds till the next cardiac cycle
Define afterload
The load the heart must eject blood against (roughly equivalent to aortic pressure
Define preload
The amount the ventricles are stretched (filled) in diastole - related to EDV or central venous pressure
What would happen to arterial and venous pressure if the total peripheral resistance fell and cardiac output was unchanged?
Arterial pressure will fall
Venous pressure will increase
What would happen to arterial and venous pressure if total peripheral resistance increased and cardiac output is unchanged?
Arterial pressure will increase
Venous pressure will fall
What would happen to arterial and venous pressure if total peripheral resistance unchanged and cardiac output is increased?
Arterial pressure will increase
Venous pressure will fall
What would happen to arterial and venous pressure if total peripheral resistance unchanged and cardiac output is decreases?
Arterial pressure decreases
Venous pressure increases
What changes occur in the vascular system in order to facilitate an increase in demand for blood in the tissues?
(1) Arterioles and precapillary sphincters dilate
(2) Peripheral resistance falls
(3) Heart pumps more so cardiac output rises
(4) Heart ‘sees’ changes in arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure
(5) Heart responds to changes in CVP and aBP by intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms
What is the equation that leads to stroke volume?
End diastolic volume - end systolic volume
What function in the equation can be altered in order to increase stroke volume?
Increasing EDV or decreasing ESV
How does inc or dec cardiac compliance affect LV pressure?
Inc compliance - higher LV pressure
Dec compliance - lower LV pressure
What disease states would lead to a inc and dec cardiac compliance?
Inc - Hypertrophy or stiff heart
Dec - dilated cardiomyopathy
What is the Frank-Starling Law of the heart?
If stretch increases the harder the contraction
The more the heart fills -> the harder it contracts (up to a limit) -> the bigger the stroke volume.
As you increase venous return -> inc LVEDP and LVEDV (inc preload).
What is the intrinsic control mechanism of the heart?
Increased stroke volume with increased filing of the heart is the intrinsic control mechanism
It ensures that both sides of the heart pump maintain the same output
What is the extrinsic control mechanism of the heart?
Sympathetic stimulation and circulating adrenaline
How is contractility related to stroke volume?
Increase in contractility will lead to an increase in stroke volume as there is more force of contraction
This would mean Inc in contractility = inc force of contraction for a given LVEDP = inc stroke volume
What is the effect of increasing arterial pressure on stroke volume?
Afterload - pressure pumping against - pressure in aorta -> arterial (aortic) pressure increased when peripheral resistance is increased -> increased TPR also reduces venous pressure and therefore reduces filling of the heart -> Stroke volume decreases
What happens to systemic and GIT arterial and venous pressures after eating a meal?
GIT - decreased arterial pressure, inc venous pressure
Systemic - increased arterial pressure and decreased venous pressure
Due to inc cardiac output by in HR -> inc SV -> inc CO
What happens to arterial and venous pressures on standing up?
Dec venous pressure -> dec cardiac output -> dec arterial pressure
Intrinsic mechanisms the pressures can not control BP therefore extrinsic mechanism needs to regulate -> baroreceptor reflex and autonomic NS inc HR and inc TPR
What height of JVP is considered normal?
5-8cm H2O above the sternal angle
What 3 common conditions will increase JVP?
1 - right heart not pumping properly
2 - volume overload
3 - right heart impaired filling
At how many weeks of pregnancy does the heart start to form?
5th week of pregnancy
What two structures move together to form the circulatory structure?
Blood islands
What are the 6 structures of the primitive heart tube?
Sinus venosus -> Atrium -> Ventricle -> Bulbus cordis -> Trucus arteriosus -> Aortic roots
What structures of the primitive heart tube are found in the pericardial sac?
Ventricle, Bulbus cordis and trunks arteriosus
What is cardiac looping?
The primitive heart tube elongates -> runs out of room -> twists and folds up -> places inflow and outflow in the correct orientation
What is the transverse pericardial sinus?
The gap behind the arteries (aorta and pulmonary arteries) and in front of the veins (SVC, IVC)
How does the sinus venosus contribute to form the SVC and IVC?
Splits from one stem to the R + L sides.
Venous return shifts to R side, L sinus horn recedes to form the transverse sinus (blood flow back into the heart from the coronary vessels)
R sinus horn is absorbed by the enlarging right atrium
Why is the right atrium more trabecular and the left atrium is more smooth walled?
The right atrium came from the primitive atrium mostly and only a small amount from the SVC/ IVC
Most of the left atrium came from the sprouted pulmonary veins and only a little from primitive atrium -> hence mostly smooth walled
What is the oblique sinus?
Oblique pericardial sinus is formed as left atrium expands absorbing the pulmonary veins
What are the 3 foetal shunts that allow oxygenated blood to travel around the body in the foetus?
1 - ductus venosus - from umbilicus to the heart (around the liver)
2 - foramen ovale - RA -> LA
3 - ductus arteriosus - Pulmonary arteries -> aorta
How many aortic arches exist in human embryos?
1-4 + 6 (5th doesn’t exist in humans)
From which aortic arches does the aorta come from?
4th Arch
R = proximal part of the R subclavian artery
L = arch of aorta
From which aortic arch does the pulmonary arch come from?
R = R pulmonary artery L = L pulmonary artery and ductus arteriosus
What is a problem with a patent ductus arteriosus?
Inc pressure in pulmonary trunk -> inc pressure in lungs -> inc back pressure into right ventricle -> RV hypertrophy
What is the function of septation?
Septation of the ventricular outflow tract - pulmonary trunk and aorta
Interatrial septation
Interventricular septation
Creates 4 chambers and achieve selective outflow
What is the first step of septation in the primitive heart?
Endocardial cushions - developing in the atrioventricular region divides the developing heart into right and left channels
Cushions develop dorsal to ventral separating L + R sides of the tube
What is the process of atrial septation?
1 - septum premium grows down towards the endocardial cushions
2 - ostium primum is the hole present before the septum primum fuses with endocardial cushions
3 - before ostium primum closes the second hole - ostium secundum appears in septum primum
4 - second crescent shaped septum, the septum secundum grows -> forms a hole in septum secundum -> foramen ovale
What is the adult remnant of the foramen ovale?
Fossa ovalis
What keeps a patent foramen ovale during embryonic and foetal development?
Pressure from RA > LA which keeps the septum primum open and away from the septum secundum
What are the atrial septal defects?
Ostium secundum defect - septum primum and septum secundum
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
What is hypoplastic left heart syndrome?
Defect in development of mitral and aortic valves - resulting in atresia and therefore limited flow
Ostium secundum too small -> R to L inadequate flow in utero -> left heart underdeveloped -> ascending aorta very small -> right ventricle supports systemic circulation -> obligatory R->L shunt
How does ventricular septation occur?
Single ventricular chamber -> ventricular septum forms which has two components -> 1 - muscular 2 - membranous -> Muscular portion forms most of the septum and grows upwards towards the fused endocardial cushions
What causes the primary interventricular foramen to form in the embryo?
Muscular portion grows upwards towards the endocardial cushions leaving a small gap
What structure fills the primary interventricular foramen in embryo?
Membranous portion of the interventricular septum formed by the connective tissue derived from the endocardial cushions
What part of the ventricle in the embryo is most likely to lead to a VSD?
Membranous portion of the septum as growth is downwards and that might not occur
What structure is responsible for causing septation of the outflow tract in the embryological heart?
Endocardial cushions appear in the truncus arteriosus and as they grow towards each other they twist around and form a spiral septum
What 3 broad types of defects can occur in the formation of the heart?
Structural defect - chambers or vasculature
Obstruction - due to atresia
Communication between pulmonary and systemic circulations
What is transposition of the great arteries?
The pulmonary artery sends blood around the body and the aorta sends blood to the lungs. i.e. Pulmonary trunk from Left ventricle and Aorta from the Right ventricle
What is the result of transposition of the great arteries?
Cyanosis - depending on what other if any defects are present
Not viable unless two circuits communicate i.e. via atrial, ventricular or ductal shunts
What is tetralogy of fallow?
1 - Large ventricular septal defect
2 - overriding aorta
3 - right ventricular hypertrophy
4 - right ventricular outflow tract obstruction
What are the two main classifications of congenital heart defects?
1 - acynotic
2 - cyanotic
What are the acyanotic congenital heart defects?
1 - L->R shunts = ASD, VSD, PDA
2 - obstructive lesions: aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis (valve, outflow, branch), coarctation of the aorta, mitral stenosis
What are the cyanotic congenital heart defects?
1 - Tetralogy of fallot - VSD/ pulm stenosis/ RV hypertrophy/ overriding aorta
2 - Transposition of the great arteries
3 - Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainge
4 - Univentricular heart
What are the haemodynamic effects of atrial septal defects?
Increased pulmonary blood flow
RV volume overload
Pulmonary HTN - rare but possible
Eventual right heart failure
What are the haemodynamic effects of ventricular septal defects?
L->R shunt
LV volume overload therefore LV hypertrophy
Pulmonary venous congestion
Eventual pulmonary HTN
What is tricuspid atresia?
Malformation of the tricuspid valve
1 - no RV inlet
2 - R-L atrial shunt of entire venous return
3 - Blood flow to lungs via VSD or PDA
What two gradients force potassium into and out of the cell?
Electrical gradient - pushes potassium into the cells as more positive outside than inside
Chemical gradient - pushes potassium out of the cells as there is more potassium inside than outside cells
What is different in intracellular resting membrane potential of skeletal muscle compared to SA node in the heart?
-90mV in skeletal muscle and -60mV in SA node
What is different in action potential duration of skeletal muscle compared to SA node in the heart?
0.5ms skeletal muscle
100ms SA node
What ion is predominant in the cardiac action potential during phase 4 part of the cycle?
Sodium entering the cells via the voltage gated sodium channels
What ion is predominant in the cardiac action potential during phase 0 part of the cycle?
Sodium is rushing into the cells via the voltage gated sodium channels - cell becomes depolarised
What ion is predominant in the cardiac action potential during phase 1 part of the cycle?
Transient outward potassium current + reversal of NCX hence repolarisation
What ion is predominant in the cardiac action potential during phase 2 part of the cycle?
Opening of voltage gated calcium channels (some K channels also open)
What ion is predominant in the cardiac action potential during phase 3 part of the cycle?
Calcium channels inactivate and voltage gated potassium channels open
What occurs in the cardiac cycle at each stage in terms of ions?
0 - RMP due to background K channels
1 - Upstroke due to opening of voltage gated sodium channels - influx of sodium
2 - initial repolarisation due to transient outward K channels
3 - Plateau due to opening of VGCC (L-type) - influx of calcium - balanced with K efflux
4 - repolarisation due to efflux of K through voltage gated K channels
What causes the SA node action potential to be the way it is and allow automaticity?
1 (-60mV) - initial incline - spontaneous depolarisation - due to pacemaker potential, If (funny current), influx of Na. Permeable to Na and K
2 (-50mV to +15mV) - Opening of VGCC causes the steep incline - depolarisation
3 (+15mV to -60mV) - Repolarisation due to opening of VGKC and turning off Ca channels
HCN start the spontaneous depolarisation at -50mV
What does HCN stand for in terms of ion channels and where is it found?
Hyperpolarisation-activated, Cyclic Nucleotide-gated channels
What 2 calcium channels are found in the heart that allow the SA node to repolarise?
T-type (transient) and L-type channels
In the SA node what ion is responsible for causing upstroke of the action potential?
Opening of voltage-gated calcium channels
Calcium influx into the cell
In the SA node what ion is responsible for causing downstroke of the action potential?
Opening of voltage gated K channels
What is the effect of hyperkalaemia on the heart?
Increased extracellular K+ levels -> Less K+ leaves the cells -> RMP would become decreased (i.e. more positive) + membrane becomes partially depolarised -> inc membrane excitability -> inactivates some VGNC -> slows upstroke.
Downstroke in stage 2 of the cardiac cycle becomes quicker and more abrupt rather than a smooth decline.
What is the effect of hypokalaemia on the heart?
RMP is inc -> both AP and refractory periods are prolonged
What ECG changes will be seen in hyperkalaemia?
Tall Tented T waves, Shortened QT interval, Prolonged PR interval, Flattened P waves, Widened QRS complex
In the end stage - ST segment merges with T wave - to give sine wave pattern
What ECG changes will be seen in hypokalaemia?
Flattened T waves, Peaked P waves, Lengthened QRS complex, ST depression, appearance of a U wave
What are the risks with hyperkalaemia?
Asystole
Initially increase in excitability due to repolarisation not being as significant
How do you treat hyperkalaemia?
Insulin + dextrose
Calcium gluconate - divalent ion shields the membrane and decreases excitability
Magnesium protects the If
What are the problems with hypokalaemia?
Longer AP can lead to early after depolarisations - leads to oscillating membrane potential
Can result in VF
What happens to the cardiac myocyte once it has been excited?
1- Depolarisation opens L-type Ca channels in T-tubule system
2 - Localised Ca entry opens Calcium-induced calcium release channels in the SR
3 - Close link between L-type channels and Ca release channels
4 - 25% enters across sarcolemma and 75% released from SR
What happens to cause the cardiac myocyte to become relaxed again ready for the next depolarisation?
Ca levels must return to resting levels
Most pumped back into the SER via SERCA = sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum Ca- ATPase
Some exits across the cell membrane via the NCX channel
How does the smooth muscle in the vasculature constrict in terms of the intrinsic mechanism?
VGCC allow Ca to enter the cell or Adrenaline attaches to A1 receptors on the vascular wall. A1 = Gq receptor.
Gq => PLC -> PIP3 -> IP3 and DAG
IP3 causes inc in intracellular calcium by release from SR
Ca from SER and VGCC => Attaches to calmodulin -> activates MLCK which causes ATP-> ADP and activates a myosin II head -> contracts as the myosin head moves along the actin filament.
MLCP inactivates the myosin head by removing the phosphate group from the myosin.
DAG cause PKC to be produced which then phosphorylates MLCP causing its inhibition to allow a sustained contraction
What is the difference in calcium binding from a cardiac myocyte compared to smooth muscle?
Cardiac myocyte - Ca binds to the troponin-C which moves out of the way for myosin to attach to actin
SM - Ca binds to calmodulin which activates MLCK -> phsphorylates myosin light chain
What receptor is acted on by the sympathetic NS and what is the effect on the heart?
B1 receptor - adrenaline/ noradrenaline
Positively chronotripic and inotropic
What receptor is acted on by the parasympathetic NS and what is the cause on the heart?
M2 receptor - acetylcholine
Negatively chronotropic
Dec AV node conduction velocity and SA node conduction velocity
At rest what is the heart mostly under the influence of in terms of HR?
PNS - Vagal influence - Vagus nerve