CVS Flow/Pressure Flashcards
Which side has the brachiocephalic trunk that splits into the common carotid and subclavian arteries, and which has the common carotid and subclavian straight off aorta?
L side has brachiocephalic trunk
What is pericardicentesis?
Aspiration of pericardial fluid e.g. blood or infective exudate that has caused a pericardial effusion
What can CO rise to in exercise?
25L/min
What is cardiac tamponade?
Fluid in the pericardial sac builds up and leads to compression of the heart - can lead to rocking rather than contraction and lead to cariogenic shock and death.
How much of blood is RBC and how much plasma?
2L RBC
3L plasma
5L altogether
Where does most of the blood lie in the cardiovascular system?
In the venous system
What are the three layers of artery and vein walls?
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica adventitia
What does the tunica media of the aorta contain a lot of?
Elastin
Also 40 layers of SMCs
Why are AAAs most likely suprarenal?
Less elastin there
What is a capacitance vessel?
A vein - stretch passively and accommodate for increased blood (Store) and don’t recoil
Why do we need a CVS?
To get O2 nutrients and take waste from cells because diffusion isn’t possible over such large distances - transport system required
What two factors affect diffusion (gas exchange)
Area available for diffusion
Conc grad
What is rate of blood flow AKA? and how does this affect diffusion?
Perfusion rate
Higher perfusion rate more diffusion
What is the pericardial sac made of? What is the inner layer split into?
Outer fibrous layer
Inner serous layer - inner serous layer is made up of visceral layer and parietal (outer) layer with serous pericardial fluid in between
What are the roles of the fibrous layer vs serous layer of pericardial sac?
Fibrous layer anchors heart to mediastinum and is continuous with great vessels adventitia layer, prevents overfilling and protects heart against infection
Serous - lubrication to prevent friction during heart contractions
Why are coronary arteries prone to atherosclerosis?
Small vessels
Turbulent flow at junctions
Where is the phrenic nerve in relation to the pericardium?
Passes down between the lungs and the heart to meet the diaphragm. L phrenic nerve passes over pericardium of LV and pierces diaphragm. R phrenic nerve passes over RA
What is polycythaemia?
Rare condition normally defect in JAK2 gene that causes over production of RBCs (polycythaemia vera)
What is serum vs plasma?
Serum is plasma minus clotting factors so appears clear
Where are WBCs and platelets contained in a blood sample vial?
Buffy coat
What is peripheral resistance?
Resistance of the arteries to blood flow
Does a rise or fall in peripheral resistance lead to increased stroke volume?
Fall in TPR leads to increased SV
Which 3 characteristics of an artery/blood affect peripheral resistance?
- Change in length
- Change in diameter
- Change in blood viscosity
What is CRP? When is it used clinically?
It is an acute phase protein released in inflammation so used to measure inflammation
Acute phase proteins increase in concentration in the plasma during inflammation