Disorders of Blood Flow and Blood Pressure Flashcards
What are the Characteristics for Normal Blood Flow?
Hemodynamics and the biology of the cells that form the blood vessels need to be considered when thinking about blood flow.
Blood vessels that are open and unobstructed.
Blood pressure that is forceful enough to circulate blood to all tissues.
What is hemodynamics?
Mechanics of blood movement.
What is Laminar blood flow?
Blood flow is fastest in the middle of the stream.
Blood flow is slowest at the outer edge.
Slower blood flow promotes clotting.
What is the most important thing in determining blood flow?
Vessel radius
What are abnormalities of blood flow caused by?
Abnormal changes in blood vessels – atherosclerosis, vasculitis
Abnormal vessel dilation – aneurysms, varicose veins
Acute vessel obstruction – vasospasm, thrombus, extravascular force
What are endothelial cells?
Continuous innermost lining of blood vessels and with a semipermeable membrane.
The production or release of vasoactive substances are in response to…
Cytokines, bacteria, virus, parasites
Changes in blood flow and/or pressure
Level of lipids circulating in blood
What plays a major role in inflammation and immune reactions?
Vessel relaxation – nitric oxide - Hypotension (vasodilation)
Vessel contraction – endothelins - Hypertension (vasoconstriction)
Normally, these substances together balance for normal blood pressure.
What is Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells?
Major cell layer of tunica media (middle layer of vessels)
What is the function of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells?
Constriction and dilation function.
What is Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells controlled by?
Controlled by sympathetic nerves that release norepinephrine
- Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels (raised BP)
How can Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells become harmful when being constricted?
Constriction decreases vessel/radius and increases circulating volume to a point BUT there can become a tipping point at which vasoconstriction will cause decreased blood supply to tissue.
Too much constriction = Harmful
What is arterial blood flow disorder?
Blood flow is pumped from the heart’s left ventricle and through the aorta into the circulation
EX: Atherosclerosis is a common cause of abnormal blood flow and can include hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol), blood flow obstruction, and loss of circulating volume
What is venous blood flow disorder?
Blood flow is generated from the venules and returns into the heart’s right atrium
EX: Impaired outflow of blood from tissues or organs causes an organ to become enlarged
EX: Back up of venous blood in organs/tissues causes impaired removal of wastes from cellular metabolism
What is Atherosclerosis?
A slow developing process involving inflammation within the endothelium
- Homocysteine and C reactive protein are elevated with inflammation and contribute to atherosclerosis risk.
What are the mechanisms of Atherosclerosis?
Vessel narrowing leading to ischemia
Sudden vessel obstruction due to plaque rupture or embolization
Aneurysm due to vessel weakening
What is Atherosclerosis made up of?
Fatty streak
Fibrous plaque
Complicated lesion
What are the etiology/risk factors for Atherosclerosis?
Hypercholesterolemia
Cigarette smoking
BP > 139/89
Increasing age
Family history of premature coronary artery disease:
- Male younger than 55
- Female younger than 45
Male sex
Postmenopausal female (due to decrease in estrogen)
What results from an arterial circulation disorder?
Ischemia and Infarction
What is ischemia?
Decreased blood supply
Inadequate oxygen, nutrients to support cellular metabolism
Impaired removal of end products of metabolism such as lactic acid
What is infarction?
Necrosis of tissue due to inadequate arterial supply and/or venous drainage
What is Acute Arterial Occlusion?
Acute arterial occlusion can be due to atherosclerosis buildup, a sudden clot, and/or spasms within an artery.
What are some clinical manifestations of Acute Arterial Occlusion?
The 7 P’s:
-Pistol shot
-Pallor
-Paresthesia
-Paralysis
-Pulselessness
-Polar
-Pain –Permanent tissue loss may already be possible.
What is an aneurysm?
Abnormal dilation of blood vessel.
More common in arteries than veins.
Aorta is the most common site.
Cause linked to gene mutation.