Lecture 14- Special Circulation Flashcards
name 6 special circulations
pulmonary
cerebral
coronary
skeletal
cutaneous
blood supply to the lungs
- bronchial circulation
- pulmonary circulation
Bronchial circulation
Part of systemic circulation
Meets the metabolic requirements of the lungs (e.g. provides oxygen)
Pulmonary circulation
Blood supply to alveoli
Required for gas exchange
pulmonary circulation must be carefully adapted to accept the
entire cardiac output
at rest CO is
5 L/min
maximum CO
20-25 L/min
adaptations of pulmonary ciruclation
- Works at low pressure and low resistance
- Mean arterial pressure 12-15 mmHg
- Mean capillary pressure 9-12 mmHg
- Mean venous pressure 5mmHg
- Short, wide vessels
- Lots of capillary (many parallel elements)
- Arterioles have relatively little smooth muscle
adaptions of the alveoli to promote efficient gas exchange
- High density of capillaries in alveolar wall – large capillary surface area
- Short diffusion distance
- Thin layer of tissue separating gas phase from plasma
- 0.3um
- Large surface area and short diffusion distance produce high O2 and CO2 transport capacity
perfusion ration (V/Q ratio)
For efficient oxygenation- need to match ventilation of alveoli with perfusion of alveoli
optimal V/Q ratio
0.8
to maintain the optimum V/Q ratio what must occur
diverting blood from alveoli which are not well ventilated
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
- Ensures optimal ventilation/ perfusion ration
- Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is the most important mechanism regulating pulmonary vascular tone
- Alveolar hypoxia results in vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels
- Ensure perfusion matches ventilation
- Poorly ventilated alveoli are less well perfused
- Ensure optimal gas exchange
However… Chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction can cause
right ventricular failure
how can Chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction cause right ventricular failure
- Chronic increase in vascular resistanceà chronic pulmonary hypertension
- Increased afterload (the resistance the heart has to pump against)à right ventricular heart failure (hypertrophy due to having to pump harder)
when does chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction occur
Can occur at altitude or as a consequence of lung disease such as emphysema
Low pressure pulmonary vessels are strongly influenced by
gravity
In upright position there is greater hydrostatic pressure on vessels in the lower part of the lungs
when patients lie down
more vessels across the whole lung become distended
Effect of exercise on pulmonary blood flow
- Increased CO
- Small increase in pulmonary arterial pressure
- Opens apical capillaries
- Increased oxygen uptake by lungs
- As blood flow increases capillary transit time is reduced
- At rest transit time is 1s
- Can fall to 0.3s without compromising gas exchange
formation of tissue fluid is determined by
starling forces
starling forces
Hydrostatic pressure of blood within the capillary forces fluid out of the capillary
Oncotic pressure is the pressure exerted by large molecules such as plasma proteins (albumin) àdraws fluid into the capillary
in systemic circulation capillary hydrostatic pressur is more influenced by
venous pressure
(hypertension does not usually result in peripehral oedema)
what minimised the formation of lung lymph
low capillary pressure (lower than systemic capillaries) and oncotic pressure of tissue fluid (oncotic pressure is higher in the lungs)
increased capillary pressure causes
more fluid to filter out- oedema
Low capillary pressure
prevents pulmonary oedema —> pulmonary pressure usually low (only a small amount of fluid leaves)
what can cause pulmonary oedema (caused by capillary pressure increase)
if left atrial pressure rises to 20-25 mmHg
Mitral valve stenosis
Left ventricular failure
pulmonary oedmea forms mainly ……. when upright
at the base