Lecture 8 - Special Circulations Flashcards
Why is the bronchial circulation needed?
- Bronchi too far away for efficient diffusion
- Meets the metabolic requirements of the lungs
Name the two circulations of the lungs?
- Bronchial circulation
- Pulmonary circulation
Is the pulmonary circulation in series or parallel with systemic?
-Series
What is the cardiac output at rest?
5L/min
What is the maximum cardiac output (non-athlete)?
20-25L/min
What is special about the pulmonary pressure and resistance?
-They are both low
How is the resistance low in the pulmonary circulation?
- Many capillaries in parallel with each other
- Short wide vessels
- Arterioloes have relatively little smooth muscle
Name the pressures in the chambers on the heart, aorta and pulmonary artery during systole and diastole?
- RA 0-8mmHg
- LA 1-10mmHg
- LV 100-140mmHg systole, 1-10mmHg diastole
- RV 15-30mmHg systole, 0-8mmHg diastole
- Aorta 100-140mmHg systole, 60-90mmHg diastole
- PA 15-30mmHg systole, 4-12mmHg diastole
Why is the diastolic pressure in the pulmonary artery higher than that in the right ventricle?
-When pulmonary valve closes, the recoil in the artery maintains the diastolic pressure
What is the mean arterial pressure in pulmonary circulation?
-12-15mmHg
What is the mean capillary pressure in the pulmonary circulation?
-9-12mmHg
What is the mean venous pressure in the pulmonary circulation?
-5mmHg
How is the pulmonary circulation adapted for efficient gas exchange?
Very high density of capillaries and short diffusion distance produces a high O2 and CO2 transport capacity
How does high capillary density help gas exchange in the lungs?
Provides a large surface area over which gas can be exchanged.
What constitutes the diffusion barrier between the air and the blood?
- Epithelium of alveoli (type1 pneumocytes/squamous), attached to their basement membrane
- Endothelium of capillary
What is required for efficient oxygenation?
Ventilation of the alveoli must be matched by perfusion of the alveoli
How is the ventilation perfusion ratio maintained?
By diverting blood away from those alveoli which are not well ventilated, thus those which are ventilated have adequate perfusion
What is the most important mechanism is regulating pulmonary vascular tone?
Hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction
What is hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction?
Alveolar hypoxia results in the vasoconstriction of pulmonary vessels ensuring that perfusion matches the ventilation, helping to optimise gas exchange
When can hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction become problematic?
At high altitude or chronic conditions where there is wide spread reduced ventilation
Why at high altitude/in chronic conditions does hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction to cause a problem?
Promotes wide-spread chronic vasoconstriction as oxygen is reduced to all alveoli. This increases the resistance in the lungs and increases the afterload on the right ventricle.
What effect does an increased afterload on the right ventricle have?
Can lead to right ventricle failure as the RV is poorly tolerant to increases in afterload
Describe how the pulmonary vessels in the base of the lungs are influenced by gravity
In upright position there is greater hydrostatic pressure in vessels at the lower part of the lung, this distended the vessels here
Describe how the vessels in the apex of the lungs are effected by gravity
Lower hydrostatic pressure when in upright position so they collapse during diastole
Are the pulmonary vessels at the level of the heart always open or closed?
Open
What effect does exercise habe on pulmonary arterial pressure?
Small increase
What happens to the pulmonary apical vessels when there is a small increase in pulmonary arterial pressure?
They open and gas exchange increases
Why is it important to open the apical vessels of the lungs during exercise?
As oxygen uptake by the lungs is increased, it is important to increase the blood flow to maintain the ventilation perfusion ratio
What happens to capillary transit time in the lungs during exercise?
It can divide by 3 without compromising gas exchange
How is tissue fluid (lung lymph) formed?
Hydrostatic pressure and interstitial oncotic pressure pushes fluid out of the capillary. Plasma oncotic pressure draws fluid back in. The net fluid remaining outside the capillary is the lymph
Where is interstitial oncotic pressure greater, lungs or periphery?
Lungs
Where is capillary hydrostatic pressure greater, lungs or systemic?
Systemic
How does pulmonary oedema occur?
Increased elevated pulmonary venous pressure-> increased hydrostatic capillary pressure-> increasing fluid in the interstitial space-> oedema
How is pulmonary oedema naturally prevented?
Low capillary hydrostatic pressure normally only permits a small amount of tissue fluid to leave
Why could mitral valve stenosis or LV failure lead to pulmonary oedema?
Blood cannot pass to LV from LA so easy. Pressure in LA increases. Pressure in pulmonary vein increases. Causes increased resistance in pulmonary veins. Increases hydrostatic capillary pressure Causes oedema.
Why is pulmonary oedema problematic?
Impairs gas exchange
What is the difference in pulmonary oedema formation when standing or laying down?
Forms at the base when standing
Forma throughout when laying down
What is used to relieve the symptoms of pulmonary oedema? (Generally speaking)
Diuretics to decrease blood volume