Hemodynamics Principles Flashcards
If the cross-sectional area of a blood vessel decreases, how must the velocity of the blood change to maintain the same flow?
The velocity must increase.
Flow = Area x Velocity
What is Fick’s law of diffusion?
Flow = D x [ ] gradient x A
where
D = diffusion coefficient
[ ] gradient = (C out - C in)/distance
A = Area
What is the relationship between resistance to flow and viscosity of a fluid?
Resistance to flow is directly proportional to the viscosity of a fluid.
What is the relationship between resistance to flow and the length of the blood vessel (tube)?
Resistance to flow is directly proportional to the length of the blood vessel (tube).
What is the relationship between the resistance to flow and the radius of the blood vessel?
Resistance to flow is inversely proportional to the 4th power of the radius (i.e. the greater the radius, the lesser the resistance to flow).
Define hemodynamics
The branch of physiology studying the forces involved in the circulation of blood.
Define diffusion
Spontaneous movement of particles caused by random thermal motion.
When gas moves across the capillary beds, either in the lungs or in the systemic tissues, it moves by diffusion. What type of movement describes the movement of air through the airways when it is inhaled, or the movement of blood from the heart across the great vessels?
Convective/Bulk flow
What is the relationship between the rate of diffusion and distance?
Inversely proportional
The greater the distance over which diffusion occurs, the slower the rate of diffusion.
Diffusion is most effective over short distances!
What is the relationship between the rate of diffusion and area?
Directly proportional
The greater the area over which particles can diffuse, the greater the rate of diffusion.
What is the diffusion coefficient?
Calculated value value specific to substance diffusing and the substance through which it is diffusing
Which diffuses better in water?
a) O2
b) CO2
b) CO2 diffuses around 20x better in water than O2 (diffusion coefficient)
In a standard individual, what is the total blood volume value?
~75mL/kg i.e. 5L
To avoid congestion in the circulation system, the flow must be…
the same in each part of the “series” (i.e. pulmonary flow must be equal to systemic flow).
How come flow to individual organ systems can change based on demand, without causing congestion?
Because the branches of circulation to the organs are organized “in parallel”
Changes in flow to the organ systems are controlled by…
resistance vessels, i.e. small arteries and arterioles
What is the advantage of having an in-series arrangement of the pulmonary and systemic circuits?
Ensures constant total blood flow across any given area of the circuit.
What is the advantage of having a parallel arrangement of the systemic organs and branches of the CV system?
Slower transit time through capillaries, allowing sufficient time and large total surface area for diffusion (Fick’s law).