Physiology π« Flashcards
What are the properties of cardiac fibers?
rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity and contractility
What is the definition of rhythmicity?
The ability of cardiac fibers to give regular impulses (action potentials) causing the heart to beat regularly.
What is the origin of rhythmicity?
Myogenic (not neurogenic; nerves do not initiate it but control it).
What is the evidence that rhythmicity is myogenic?
The transplanted heart (no nerve supply) continues to beat.
What has the fastest rhythm?
SAN has the fastest rhythm (so, it is the pace maker of the heart).
What is the self-excitation of SAN due to?
Natural leakiness of the membrane to Na+
What is the rhythmicity of SAN, AVN, Bundle tissues, Purkinje fibers, and ventricles respectively?
Rhythmicity without vagus 120 / min
90 / min
45 / min
35 / min
25 / min
What is the mechanism of rhythmicity of SAN? (SAN action potential)
- Na influx through funny (If) slow Na channels, Ca influx through T (transient) Ca channel, decreased K efflux β membrane potential changes gradually from - 55 mV (resting) to - 40 mV. This is called Phase 4 (Pacemaker potential = pre-potential = diastolic depolarization (DD)).
- Ca influx through L (long-lasting) (Ica) Ca channels β membrane potential changes from β 40 mV (firing or threshold level) to + 10 mV. This is Phase 0 (Upstroke phase.
- K efflux (Ik) β membrane potential returns to - 55 mV (resting). This is Phase 3 (Repolarization).
- Then, the process is repeated throughout life.
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (-55mv) to (-40mv) in SAN action potential?
Na influx through funny (If) slow Na channels, Ca influx through T (transient) Ca channel, decreased K efflux
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (-40mv) to (+10mv) in SAN action potential?
Ca influx through L (long-lasting) (Ica) Ca channels
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (+10mv) to (-55mv) in SAN action potential?
K efflux (Ik)
What is the excitability of cardiac fibers?
The ability of cardiac fibers to respond to an adequate stimulus (to generate action potentials).
What is the ionic basis of action potential (AP) of cardiac muscle?
- Rapid Depolarization (Phase 0):
- Opening of fast Na channels β rapid Na influx β membrane potential changes from - 85 (resting) to + 20 mV (overshoot) (total voltage of AP = 105 mV) - Early Fast Partial Repolarization (phase 1):
- Due to: K efflux & Inactivation of fast Na channels. - Slow Prolonged Plateau (Phase 2):
- The membrane remains depolarized (for 150 msec in atrial muscles & 300 msec in ventricular muscles) due to: slow Ca influx & decreased K efflux - Rapid Repolarization (Phase 3) due to: increased K efflux & closure of Ca channels.
- Complete Repolarization to resting membrane potential (Phase 4):
- The Na-K pump derives excess Na out and excess K in.
What causes rapid depolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
-85mv to +20mv
Opening of fast Na channels
What causes early fast partial repolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
K efflux & Inactivation of fast Na channels.
What causes the slow prolonged plateau in cardiac muscle AP?
slow Ca influx & Decreased K efflux
What causes rapid repolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
Increased K efflux & closure of Ca channels.
What is the function of the Na-K pump in cardiac muscle AP?
derives excess Na out and excess K in.
What is the conductivity of cardiac muscle fibers?
The ability of cardiac fibers to conduct excitation waves from one part of the heart to another.
What is the value of atrial conduction?
0.4 m/sec
From where to where does action potential travel in atrial conduction and what does it travel through?
The action potential travels from the SAN into the atria and to the AVN through:
- Atrial mass & Internodal bundles (Anterior, middle, and posterior).
What is the value of AV nodal conduction?
Velocity = 0.04 m/sec.
Total delay: 0.16 sec
What are the causes of slow conductivity in AVN?
the small size of fibers & few gap junctions.
What is the significance of AVN delay?
- Gives time for atria to empty blood into ventricles.
- Protects ventricles from high pathological atrial rhythms.
What is the value of Purkinje fibers conduction?
Velocity: 4 m/sec
What are the causes of high velocity in conduction in Purkinje fibers?
large fibers & high permeability of gap junctions.
What is the significance of high-velocity conduction in Purkinje fibers?
immediate transmission of cardiac impulse in the ventricles.
What is the contractility of cardiac fibers?
The ability of the muscle to do mechanical work (contraction & relaxation).
What are the steps of contraction of cardiac fibers? (Excitation-contraction coupling)
Action potentials pass over the muscle fiber membrane β spread to the interior along the transverse (T) tubules β open Ca++ channels β inc. entry of Ca++ into the sarcoplasm β act on the longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) β inc. release of Ca++ into the sarcoplasm β Ca++ bind to troponin β sliding between actin & myosin filaments β muscle shortening (contraction).
What are the sources of calcium for myocardial contraction?
ECF: via Ca channels in the cell membrane & down the T tubules
S.R: via calcium-induced calcium-release.
What does the force of contraction depend on?
the concentration of Ca++ in extracellular fluids
What are the ionic reasons for the relaxation of cardiac muscle fibers?
Stoppage of Ca++ influx & pumping back of Ca++ from the sarcoplasm into SR & ECF via Ca++ pumps & Na+ Ca++ exchangers.
What is a statement of starling law?
βWithin limit, the greater the initial length of the cardiac muscle fiber, the greater the force of contractionβ.
What is the initial length of the cardiac fibers determined by?
diastolic filling (end-diastolic volume = EDV).
How does EDV affect the force of contraction?
Inc. venous return (e.g., muscle exercise) β inc EDV (filling) β stretch of the muscle β inc the force of contraction
What is the significance of increasing the force of contraction of cardiac muscle fibers in response to high venous return?
prevents stagnation of blood in the CVS.
What happens in cases of overstretching concerning cardiac muscle fibers?
Dec. Contractility
What is the nature of Starling law?
Myogenic
What time does mechanical response take in relation to action potential?
1.5 times as long as AP.
When does Contraction begin in relation to AP?
just after the start of depolarization
When does contraction reach maximum in relation with action potential?
BY the end of plateau.
When does relaxation begin in relation to action potential?
AT the end of plateau.
When does Relaxation reach its med?
When RP is complete
What are the excitability changes during action potential?
Absolute refractory period (ARP)
Relative refractory period (RRP)
Supernormal phase
What is the excitability in ARP, RRP, and supernormal phase respectively?
Zero
Gradually increase
Above normal
What is the stimulation in ARP, RRP, and supernormal phase respectively?
No response, whatever the strength of the 2nd stimulus
Strong stimulus β weak contraction
Weak stimulus β Strong contraction
When do ARP, RRP, and supernormal phase occur respectively?
Rapid depolarization & plateau = Contraction
Rapid repolarization = 1st half of relaxation
At the end of AP = 2nd half of relaxation
What is the effect of ARP, RRP, and supernormal phase respectively?
Prevents tetanus (continuous contraction)
Null
May cause extrasystole
What are the Factors affecting rhythmicity (chronotropic), excitability (bathmotropic), conductivity (dromotropic), and contractility (inotropic)?
1- Nervous: Sympatyhaeic, Parasympathetic
2- Physical: Warming, Cooling, and Excessive warming/cooling
3- Chemical: Drugs and Hormones, Blood gases, Ions and typhoid/bacteria toxins
How does the sympathetic nervous system affect cardiac properties?
- Sympathetic β noradrenaline β inc Na influx β rapid depolarization β inc rhythmicity, excitability & conductivity.
- Sympathetic β B1 adrenergic receptors β inc Ca influx β inc contractility of all cardiac muscles.
How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect cardiac properties?
- Basal parasympathetic discharge (vagal tone) to atrial structures only β acetylcholine β inc K efflux β hyperpolarization (inhibition)β dec rhythmicity (of SAN from 120 β 70 /min), excitability & conductivity.
- Strong vagal stimulation can stop rhythmicity, excitability & conductivity in atrial structures only. βLike in shocksβ
- Parasympathetic stimulation β muscarinic receptors β dec Ca influx β dec contractility of atrial muscle only.
How does warming (fever) affect cardiac properties?
- Moderate warming (fever) β inc ionic fluxes across the membrane β inc rhythmicity (10 beats/1Β°F), excitability, conductivity, and inc contractility (due to Increased metabolic reactions, Ca influx, and decreased viscosity).
How does moderate cooling affect cardiac properties?
- Moderate cooling: opposite effects to moderate warming.
How does excessive cooling or warming affect cardiac properties?
- Excessive warming or cooling β cardiac damage β stop the heart.
How do drugs or hormones affect cardiac properties?
- Catecholamines, Thyroxine, xanthene-derivatives (theophylline & caffeine) β inc all cardiac properties.
- Cholinergic β dec all cardiac properties.
How do blood gases affect cardiac properties?
Decreased O2: Mild hypoxia β inc rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity, and dec contractility βdue to fatigueβ
Increased CO2 (hypercapnia) β inc H+ (acidosis = dec pH) β dec rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity, and contractility (dec affinity of troponin to Ca)
How do ions affect cardiac properties?
- increased K+ (hyperkalemia) β dec K efflux β prolong repolarization β dec all cardiac properties. Marked K increase β stop the heart in diastole (irreversible
relaxation) - increased Ca++ (hypercalcemia) β increases K efflux β hyperpolarization β dec rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity, and inc contractility. Marked Ca increase β stop the heart in systole (calcium rigor = irreversible contraction).
How do typhoid or diphtheria toxins affect cardiac properties?
Dec rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity, and contractility (direct inhibition).
βHowever other organisms that cause fever increase cardiac properties due to warmingβ
What is the definition of the cardiac cycle?
The cardiac events that occur from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next.
What does the cardiac cycle include?
A period of contraction (systole) and a period of relaxation (diastole) occur during the cardiac cycle
What are the events studied in the cardiac cycle?
Valves. Heart sounds (ECG) Atrial pressure Ventricular pressure Ventricular volume Aortic pressure
What are the phases of the cardiac cycle?
Atrial systole (0.1 sec)
Ventricular systole (0.3 sec)
- Isometric contraction phase
- Maximum ejection phase.
- Reduced ejection phase
Ventricular diastole /0.5 sec)
- Isometric relaxation phase
- Rapid filling phase.
- Reduced filling phase
What is the state of the valves in atrial systole?
AV opened
Semi-lunar closed
Are there any sounds in atrial systole?
Yes, 4th heart sound Normally inaudible but can be recorded by the phonocardiogram.
What appears in the ECG in atrial systole?
P wave (atrial depolarization) starts 0.02 second before systole.
What is the atrial pressure in atrial systole?
Increase from zero -βΊ 2 mmHg (due to atrial contraction), Then, pressure returns zero due to evacuation into the ventricles. βInc then decβ
What is the state of ventricular pressure in atrial systole?
Inc slightly (due to rush of blood from the atria), then dec again as the ventricles are still relaxed.
βInc then decβ
What is the state of ventricular volume in atrial systole?
slightly (30%) due to rush of blood from the atria.
βIt was already passively filled with 70%β
what is the state of aortic pressure in atrial systole?
Dec gradually, due to flow of blood to the peripheral vessels.
What is the state of valves in isometric contraction phase?
AV close
Semilunar closed
What appears in ECG in isometric contraction phase?
QRS complex, starts 0.02 second before this phase
What is atrial pressure in isometric contraction phase?
Slight sharp increase, due to sudden closure of AV valve and ballooning of its cusps towards the cavity of the atrium by the sudden rise of ventricular pressure.
What is the ventricle pressure in isometric contraction phase?
The ventricle contracts so ventricular pr > atrial pr so sudden closure of the AV valves.
- All valves are closed, and the ventricle becomes a closed chamber full of blood which is incompressible, so the ventricle contracts isometrically
(without change in the length of fibers)
Is there any sounds in isometric contraction phase?
Early part of the 1st sound due to closure of AV valves
what is a ventricular volume in isometric contraction phase?
No change. (a closed chamber)
what is the state aortic pressure in isometric contraction phase?
Dec gradually, due to flow of blood to the peripheral vessels.
What is the state of valves in maximum ejection phase??
AV closed
Semilunar open
Is there any sounds in maximum ejection phase?
1st heart sound continues, due to flow of blood from ventricles to the aorta and pulmonary arteries.
What appears in ECG in maximum Ejection phase?
Early part The T wave starts in the late of this phase.
What is the atrial pressure in maximum Ejection phase?
sharp dec (due to pulling down the AV ring) Then gradual inc (due to Accumulation of venous blood in the atria and Upward displacement of AV ring to its normal position.)
βDec then incβ
What is the ventricular pressure in maximum ejection phase?
Marked inc (due to continuous contraction of the ventricles).
Ventricular pressure is higher than aortic or pulmonary pressure.
what is a ventricular volume in maximum ejection phase?
Dec rapidly, due to ejection of blood into the aorta or pulmonary artery.
What is the aortic pressure during maximum ejection phase?
Inc rapidly, due to ejection of blood from the left ventricle but remains βΉ ventricular pressure.
What is the state of valves in reduced ejection phase?
AV closed.
Semilunar opened
What appears in ECG in reduced ejection phase?
The top of T wave.
Are there any sounds in reduced ejection phase?
No sounds
what is the atrial pressure in reduced ejection phase?
Gradual inc (due to venous return)
What is the ventricular pressure in reduced ejection phase?
Slightly decrease
What is ventricular volume in reduced ejection phase?
Still decreasing
What is the aortic pressure in reduced ejection phase?
Slightly decrease, because the blood leaving the aorta is greater than the blood pumped into the aorta
What is ABP?
It is the lateral force exerted by the blood on the arterial wall.
What are the characteristics of ABP?
- Pulsatile.
- It is not constant during a cardiac cycle.
- The systolic BP is caused by the sudden ejection of blood into the aorta during systole.
- The diastolic BP is caused by the passive elastic recoiling of the arteries (elastic recoil or windkessel effect)
What is systolic pressure?
It is the highest arterial pressure during a cardiac cycle, It is measured after the heart contracts (systole) and blood is ejected into the arterial system.
What is diastolic pressure?
It is the lowest arterial pressure during a cardiac cycle, It is measured when the heart is relaxed (diastole) and blood is returned to the heart via the veins.
What is pulse pressure?
is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures.
What is the most important determinant of pulse pressure?
SV
What does pulse pressure equal?
40mmHg
What is mean arterial pressure?
It is the average arterial pressure with respect to time.
How can we calculate mean arterial pressure?
Can be calculated approximately as diastolic pressure plus one-third of pulse pressure.
What is the importance of arterial blood pressure?
1) It maintains sufficient pressure to keep the blood flowing.
2) It provides enough hydrostatic pressure inside the capillaries essential for the formation of interstitial fluid, urine, etc.
βThe pressure in the capillaries causes the ejection of nutrients and vitamins to the cells, it also allows the absorbance of wastes from themβ
How does age affect arterial blood pressure?
- The ABP is about 50/30 mmHg.
- After birth, Increase of age will increase ABP till adulthood where it is 120/80.
- After the age of 50 years it increases gradually due to normal gradual loss of arterial elasticity.
- It may become normally 140/90
How does gender affect arterial blood pressure?
- ABP is generally slightly higher in adult males than in females.
- However, it becomes slightly higher in females after menopause.
How does the bodybuilt affect arterial blood pressure?
ABP is higher in obese persons
how does environmental temperature affect arterial blood pressure?
Exposure to cold increases both Systolic and systolic pressures due to cutaneous vasoconstriction.
How do emotions affect arterial blood pressure?
Increase the ABP considerably
How does exercise affect arterial blood pressure?
Systolic ABP increases while the diastolic is often not changed or decreases due to arteriolar vasodilatation.
How do meals affect arterial blood pressure?
The ABP increases slightly after meals due to VD of the splanchnic area which increases both VR and COP.
How does posture affect arterial blood pressure?
On standing, the force of gravity increases the mean ABP below a reference point in the heart and decreases it above that point by about 0.77 mm/cm height.
What are the factors maintaining normal ABP?
- Cardiac output
- Peripheral resistance
- Elasticity of the arterial wall
- The total blood volume in relation to the capacity of the circulatory system
What do changes in stroke volume affect?
Changes in the stroke volume with the HR constant affect the systolic more than the diastolic pressure.
What do changes in heart rate affect?
Changes in the HR with constant SV affect the diastolic more than the systolic blood pressure.
What are the factors that determine peripheral resistance?
PR = VL/r4
a) Viscosity of blood (V): It is the property by which a fluid resists a change in shape, It represents the force with which the fluid particles adhere to each other and resists
their separation
b) Length of the blood vessels (L)
c) The diameters of arterioles (r)
What does atherosclerosis cause in terms of ABP?
there is a marked increase in systolic βpushing of bloodβ and a decrease in diastolic blood βdecrease in elasticityβ pressure resulting in higher pulse pressure.
The effect of the factor: (The total blood volume in relation to the capacity of the circulatory system) in ABP?
Changes in blood volume:-
- Mild to moderate
- Severe
Changes in the capacity of the circulatory system:
- Increase
- Decrease
What are the most important mechanisms in the regulation of ABP?
1- Fast, neurally mediated baroreceptor mechanism
2- Slower, hormonally regulated renin-angiotensinβaldosterone mechanism
What are the characteristics of the Baroreceptor reflex?
fast, neural mechanisms.
What is the definition of baroreceptor reflex?
- It is a negative feedback system that is responsible for the minute-to-minute regulation of arterial blood pressure
- Baroreceptors are stretch receptors located within the walls of the carotid sinus near the bifurcation of the common carotid arteries.
What are the steps in baroreceptor reflex?
1) A decrease in arterial pressure decreases stretch on the walls of the carotid sinus and aortic arch.
2) Decreased stretch decreases the firing rate of the baroreceptors (which send information to the vasomotor center in the brain stem).
3) The vasomotor center responds to the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure by decreasing parasympathetic outflow to the heart and increasing sympathetic outflow to the heart and blood vessels to increase mean arterial pressure to 100mmHg
What are the effects caused by baroreceptor reflex?
β heart rate
β contractility and stroke volume
β vasoconstriction of arterioles
β vasoconstriction of veins (venoconstriction)
What causes β heart rate?
resulting from the decreased parasympathetic tone and increased sympathetic tone to the SA node of the heart.
What causes β contractility and stroke volume?
resulting from increased sympathetic tone to the heart.
What are the results of increased heart rate and increased contractility, Stroke volume?
They produce an increase in cardiac output that increases arterial pressure.
What causes β vasoconstriction of arterioles?
resulting from the increased sympathetic outflow.
What is the result of β vasoconstriction of arterioles?
TPR and arterial pressure will increase.
What causes β vasoconstriction of veins (venoconstriction)?
resulting from the increased sympathetic outflow.
What are the results of β vasoconstriction of veins?
causes a decrease in unstressed volume and an increase in venous return to the heart.
What are the characteristics of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?
- slow, hormonal mechanism.
- used in long-term blood pressure regulation by adjustment of blood volume.
What are the chemicals in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?
- Renin is an enzyme.
- Angiotensin I is inactive.
- Angiotensin II is physiologically active.
- Angiotensin II is degraded by angiotensinase.
- One of the peptide fragments, angiotensin III, has some of the biologic activity of angiotensin II.
What are the steps in reninβangiotensinβaldosterone system?
1) A decrease in renal perfusion pressure causes the juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole to secrete renin.
2) Renin is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I in plasma.
3) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, primarily in the lungs.
4) angiotensin II has many effects
What are the effects of angiotensin II?
a) It stimulates the synthesis and secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex.
b) It increases Na+βH+ exchange in the proximal convoluted tubule.
c) It increases thirst and therefore water intake.
d) It causes vasoconstriction of the arterioles, thereby increasing TPR and arterial pressure.
What is the importance of stimulation and secretion of aldosterone in the RAAS?
- Aldosterone increases Na+ reabsorption by the renal distal tubule, thereby increasing extracellular fluid (ECF) volume, blood volume, and arterial pressure.
Why is the action of aldosterone slow?
because it requires new protein synthesis.
What is the importance of the increase of NA - H exchange in the proximal convoluted tubules in the RAAS?
- This action of angiotensin II directly increases Na+ reabsorption, complementing the indirect stimulation of Na+ reabsorption via aldosterone.
- This action of angiotensin II leads to contraction alkalosis.
What are other regulation systems of ABP?
1) Cerebral ischemia
2) Chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies
3) Vasopressin [antidiuretic hormone (ADH)]
4) Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
What are the steps of regulation of ABP in the case of cerebral ischemia?
- When the brain is ischemic, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) in brain tissue increases.
- Chemoreceptors in the vasomotor center respond by increasing sympathetic outflow to the heart and blood vessels.
- Constriction of arterioles causes intense peripheral vasoconstriction and increased TPR.
- Blood flow to other organs (e.g., kidneys) is significantly reduced in an attempt to preserve blood flow to the brain.
What is an example of the response to cerebral ischemia?
- The Cushing reaction is an example of the response to cerebral ischemia. Increases in intracranial pressure cause compression of the cerebral blood vessels, leading to cerebral ischemia and increased cerebral PCO2.
- The vasomotor center directs an increase in sympathetic outflow to the heart and blood vessels, which causes a profound increase in arterial pressure.
Where are chemoreceptors located?
located near the bifurcation of the common carotid arteries and along the aortic arch.
What are chemoreceptors in carotid and aortic bodies sensitive to?
have very high rates of O2 consumption and are very sensitive to decreases in the partial pressure of oxygen (Po2).
What does a decrease in pressure of oxygen do to the chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies?
Decreases in PO2 activate vasomotor centers that produce vasoconstriction, an increase in TPR, and an increase in arterial pressure.
What is vasopressin hormone involved in?
It is involved in the regulation of blood pressure in response to hemorrhage, but not in minute-to-minute regulation of normal blood pressure.
How do atrial receptors respond to a decrease in blood volume or blood pressure?
Atrial receptors respond to a decrease in blood volume (or blood pressure) and cause the release of vasopressin from the posterior pituitary.
What are the effects of vasopressin?
Vasopressin has two effects that tend to increase blood pressure toward normal:
- It is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases TPR by activating V1 receptors on the arterioles.
- It increases water reabsorption by the renal distal tubule and collecting ducts by activating V2 receptors.
From where is ANP released?
from the atria in response to an increase in blood volume and atrial pressure.