Normal CV physiology Flashcards
What surface of the heart do the coronary arteries run on?
Epicardial surface (outside of heart)
What imaging can show the coronary arteries?
coronary angiogram (or cardiac catheter)
When does coronary blood flow occur?
during diastole (heart muscle needs to be relaxed to allow blood to flow into the coronary arteries)
What type of arteries are coronary arteries?
functional end arteries (no anastomoses between them so they all perfuse their own areas without much overlap)
How is the myocardial capillary density compared to capillary density in skeletal muscle?
very high myocardial capillary density
What is the main way of increasing oxygen supply to the heart during exercise?
metabolic hyperaemia (increased blood supply to heart)
What is autoregulation and why is it important?
capacity of the heart to maintain steady myocardial perfusion across a range of perfusion pressures
blood flow to the heart is maintained even if the blood pressure is low
Define cardiac output (CO)
the volume of blood ejected by 1 ventricle in 1 minute
Define stroke volume (SV)
the volume of blood ejected from the ventricle in systole
Cardiac output equation and normal values at rest
cardiac output (5L/min) = heart rate (70bpm) x stroke volume (75ml)
How much can cardiac output increase on exercise?
4-5 fold
Where is 2/3 of the blood situated and why is this important?
large veins, small veins and venules (systemic veins + venules)
acts as reservoir - can ‘top up’ the heart and arteries after a haemorrhage
What 3 factors can affect stroke volume?
preload
contractility
afterload
Define preload
the stretch of the ventricular fibres just before contraction
[cannot be measured directly]
How can preload be measured?
cannot be measured directly
blood stretches the heart - it has a volume and puts pressure on the walls of the heart - therefore end diastolic volume or end diastolic pressure (RVEDP) can be used as a marker of preload
RVEDP = right ventricle end diastolic pressure