CVS Flashcards
Why is CV research important
The ageing population:
Baby boomers make up a large proportion of the population and are heading into the age where CVD mortality risk increases
What are some recent trends in CVD
Acute coronary events have been declining due to treating risk factors. However, there has been an increase in heart failure (preventative measures?)
What are the 2 main functions of the CVS
Function as a distribution system (nutrients/water/gases, hormones, immune, waste, heat)
Maintain homeostasis
Name all the heart valves and where they are located
Tricuspid valve - right AV
Bicuspid valve - left AV
Aortic semilunar - left V to Aorta
Pulmonary semilunar - right V to Pulmonary arteries
What are the functions of the AV and semilunar valves
AV - Prevent back flow into the atria during ventricular contraction
Semilunar - Prevent back flow into the ventricle during ventricular relaxation
Features of myocardial muscle cells
Branched, single nuclei, connected by specialised junctions called intercalated disks
Features of intercalated disks
Contain desmosomes which transfer force from cell to cell. Contain gap junctions which allow electrical signals to pass rapidly from cell to cell
2 types of cardiac cells and their differences
Contractile cells - striated fibres organised into sarcomeres
Auto-rhythmic (pacemaker) cells - Signal for contraction, smaller and fewer contraction fibres, not organised into sarcomeres
Discuss the major events in the cardiac contractile cycle as it relates to left ventricular and aortic pressures, and valve sounds
1 - Ventricular diastole (fast and slow filling) causes pressure to drop close to 0mmHg
2 - AV valves close (HS 1) when ventricular pressure exceeds atrial pressure, and a ventricular isometric contraction causes ventricular pressure to rapidly rise
3a - Aortic semilunar valve opens when ventricular pressure exceeds aortic blood pressure. This causes rapid ejection of blood into the aorta, increasing pressure.
3b - Ejection of blood slows as ventricular capacity is depleted, causing pressure to flatten.
4 - Isometric relaxation of the left ventricle causes pressure to drop rapidly. When ventricular pressure falls below aortic pressure, the aortic semilunar valves close (HS 2), preventing a drop in aortic blood pressure.
5 - As left ventricular pressure falls below left aortic pressure, AV valves open and the ventricle begins filling with blood again.
Discuss blood volume and pressure changes throughout the CVS
Blood flows down a pressure gradient. Pressure is greatest in the aorta and drops in an S-shaped manner until it is lowest in the vena cava. Distribution of blood volume is inversely proportional to this - least blood volume in the systemic arteries while most blood volume in the systemic veins.
What is flow rate?
The volume of blood that passes a given point per unit of time (mL/min)
Vasoconstriction vs vasodilation?
Vasoconstriction is a decrease in blood vessel diameter which decreases blood flow.
Vasodilation is an increase in blood vessel diameter which increases blood flow.
Flow though a tube is inversely proportional to resistance
Flow =
change in pressure/resistance (R)
Total blood volume
~5L
What is diastole and systole?
Diastole is cardiac muscle relaxation
Systole is cardiac muscle contraction
What is auscultation?
Listening to the heart through the chest wall using a stethoscope