Hemodynamics Flashcards
What is the function of the cardiovascular system?
defense, temperature regulation, transport hormones and other messengers between various regions of the body, and delivers nutrients and removes wastes from each organ.
What is the function of all 12 body systems?
to maintain the homeostatic mechanism (maintain internal body environment).
What is the principle mechanism for circulatory system exchange?
diffusion
What drives diffusion?
concentration gradient
Is diffusion fast or slow?
fast but only over a short distance (microns= 1x10^-6)
What is the medium for exchange of diffusion?
liquid tissue, which consists of plasma, blood cells, and platelets.
What is the diameter of a capillary?
10 microns
At what level of the cardiovascular system do these exchange processes occur?
capillaries
What is hemodynamics?
the study of the interrelationships among the various forces and parameters that are required to move this liquid tissue through the cardiovascular system.
How does force manifest itself in a liquid system?
via pressure
What are the 2 types of pressure in the cardiovascular system?
- hydrostatic pressure= pressure of a liquid at rest (pressure increases with depth). Aka caused by effects of gravity on the fluid.
- hydrodynamic pressure= the cardiac pump adds energy to the blood, which we measure as pressure. This energy moves blood through blood vessels and is dissipated as a result of movement of fluid through the vessels (rubbing against the walls of the vessels and the viscosity of the blood itself).
What is the pressure equation?
P= hpg, where h= height, p= density (g/cm^3), g= gravitational acceleration (980 cm/s^2).
What exactly is pressure?
the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed (Pressure= force/area).
How do we measure pressure?
on a column of fluid. Height of column (P2-P1). If the column is mercury, pressure is mm Hg. If the column is water, pressure is cm H2O.
Why do we use mercury to measure BP?
because it is more dense than water and therefore doesn’t require a long tube.
Who is credited with taking the first blood pressure?
Stephen Hales
How do pressures change from lying to when you stand up?
lying= about 100 mmHg
standing= 51 mmHg in carotids and 183 mmHg in feet
*there are baroreceptors that function to offset this however, and ensure equal pressures.
What is the equation for flow (Q)?
Q= (change in P)/R
Q= flow (ml/min)
**change in P= pressure gradient **(dynes/cm^2)
R= resistance to flow (dynes/cm^2)/(ml/min)
What law is the equation for flow similar to?
Ohm’s law: I=V/R
I= current (flow of electrons) V= voltage R= resistance
What is the pressure gradient?
the DIFFERENCE in pressure between the beginning and end of a vessel. Thus, flow is directly proportional to the difference in pressure, and inversely proportional to resistance.
What resistance factors influence fluid flow through vessels?
- fluid viscosity
- vessel length (preset so this doesn’t change)
- vessel diameter
What is viscosity?
the friction developed between the molecules of a fluid as they slide over each other during flow of the fluid. In general, the thicker the liquid, the more viscous.
How did newton define viscosity?
as a lack of slipperiness between adjacent laminae. It is a measure of the fluidity of a liquid.
Is the velocity greatest at the center or on the peripheries?
at the center.
What does each layer of fluid laminae do?
retards the movement of the adjacent layer, generating a velocity gradient.
What is a primary determinant of blood viscosity?
hematocrit (% RBCs)
What is the normal range for hematocrit?
34-45.
Where do cyclists who blood dope, want their hematocrit?
around 51 to increase the O2 carrying capacity. You do not want to go over this however, because the higher you increase the hematocrit, the more viscous the blood and the harder the heart has to work to pump it.