Physiology Flashcards
Where does excitation originate in the heart?
SA node
Where is the SA node located
Upper right atrium (close to SVC entry)
When the heart is controlled by the SA node, it is said to be in what type of rhythm?
Sinus rhythm
What is the pacemaker potential due to?
- Decrease in funny current 2. Background current of potassium influx (Ib) 3. Transient Ca2+ influx
What happens when the pacemaker potential reaches threshold?
L-type calcium channels open allowing for calcium influx
What are the 2 main causes of the falling phase in a nodal action potential?
- Inactivation of L-type Calcium channels 2. Activation of delayed rectifier outward potassium channels
What permits the spread of excitation between myocardial cells?
Gap junctions
Where is the AV node located?
At the base of the right atrium just above the atrium/ventricular junction
What is the purpose of the AV node?
To allow conduction to spread to the ventricles from the atria
What attribute of the AV node allows for heart contraction coordination?
It has a low conduction velocity allowing there to be delay between atrial and ventricular contraction
What is the bundle of His?
This is a bundle of nerve fibres which carries the impulse from the AV node to the ventricles where the impulse passes upwards via Purkinje fibres in the ventricles
What is the resting potential of a myocardial cell?
-90mv
In a myocardial action potential, what is phase 0
Rapid depolarisation from -90mv to +20mv due to Na+ influx
In a myocardial action potential, what is phase 4
Resting membrane potential is achieved (-90mv)
In a myocardial action potential, what is phase 3
Closure of Ca2+ channel influx and K+ efflux begins
In a myocardial action potential, what is phase 2
L-type Ca2+ channel influx
In a myocardial action potential, what is phase 1
Closure of Na+ channels and transient K+ channels
What is the plateau phase and what causes it?
Maintained during phase 2 of a myocardial AP. Due to Ca2+ influx through L-type channels. Maintains peak AP
How does the sympathetic system affect heart rate?
Increases
How does the parasympathetic system affect heart rate?
Decreases
What is vagal tone?
Continuous influence of the vagus nerve on SA node lowering heart rate to normal levels
What is the normal range for heart rate?
60-100bpm
What is the term for low heart rate (<60bpm)?
Bradycardia
What is the term for high heart rate (>100bpm)?
Tachycardia
On which receptors does acetylcholine from the vagus nerve act?
Type 2 Muscarinic
What type of drug is atropine and what may it be used for?
Competitive acetylcholine inhibitor Treats bradycardia by speeding up heart rate
What three effects does sympathetic stimulation have on the heart?
- Increase HR 2. Decrease AV node delay 3. Increases contractile force
Noradrenaline from the sympathetic system acts on which receptors in the heart?
B1
What is a chronotropic effect?
Something which influences heart rate e.g. positive chronotropic increases HR
In an ECG what does the P wave represent?
Atrial depolarisation
In an ECG what does the QRS complex represent?
Ventricular depolarisation
In an ECG what does the T wave represent?
Ventricular repolarisation
In an ECG what does the PR interval represent
AV node delay
In an ECG what does the ST segment represent?
Ventricular systole
In an ECG what does the TP interval represent?
Diastole
How long does the cardiac cycle normally last?
0.8s
What 5 events comprise the cardiac cycle?
- Passive Filling 2. Atrial Contraction 3. Isovolumetric ventricular Contraction 4. Ventricular Ejection 5. Isovolumetric ventricular Relaxation
Describe passive filling
Pressure in atria is slightly higher than ventricles allowing for passive filling of ventricles with blood
Passive filling accounts for what percentage of ventricular filling?
80%
Describe how atrial contraction contributes to ventricular filling
The final 20% of ventricular filling is achieved by atrial conraction
Describe isovolumetric ventricular contraction
Ventricular pressure rises past atrial pressure upon contraction cause AV valves to close. Semilunar valves remain close so pressure builds around a closed volume
Describe ventricular ejection
Ventricular pressure exceeds aortic/pulmonary valve pressure causing ejection of stroke volume
What is the end systolic volume?
This is the amount of blood left behind in the ventricles after contraction
How is stroke volume calculated?
SV = EDV - ESV
When do the semilunar valves close?
When ventricular pressure falls after contraction?
What causes the first hearts sound?
Closing of AV valves during isovolumetric ventricular contraction
What causes the second heart sound?
Closing of semilunar valves after ventricular ejection
What causes the dicrotic notch in the pressure curve?
Valve vibration
What does isovolumetric ventricular relaxation involve?
The closing of aortic and pulmonary valves
What causes the third heart sound (S3)?
Occurs after 2nd heart sound - due to acceleration and deceleration of blood into the ventricles - can signify cardiac disease
What causes the fourth heart sound (S4)?
Occurs shortly before the first heart sound - due to rapid blood flow into less compliant ventricles (usually left) causing turbulence
Where are the S3 and S4 heart sounds best heard?
Apex
Where is the aortic area?
2nd intercostal space Right parasternal
Where is the pulmonary area?
2nd intercostal space Left parasternal
Where is the tricuspid area?
4th intercostal space Left parasternal
Where is the mitral area?
5th intercostal space Left parasternal
For which two reasons does arterial pressure never fall to zero?
- Contraction of arterial muscle 2. Retraction of elastic fibres
What is blood pressure?
Hydrostatic (outward) pressure exerted on vessels by blood flow
What is the upper limit of blood pressure before treatment?
140/90mmHg
What is the term used to describe blood flowing without turbulence?
Laminar blood flow
What are Korotkoff sounds?
There are 5 and they are heard when blood pressure is taken
At which Korotkoff sound is diastolic pressure measured and why?
5
At sound 5, the change is more easily heard as any sound heard changes to silence
Technically the fourth Korotkoff sound is where diastolic pressure occurs
What drives blood circulation?
The pressure gradient between aorta and right atrium
How is mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) calculated? (3)
- MABP = (2 x diastolic + systolic)/3
- MAP = 1/3 (systolic – diastolic) + diastolic
- MABP = CO x TPR
What is the pulse pressure?
This is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
What is the range for MABP?
70 - 105mmHg
What is the minimum requirement of MABP to perfuse organs?
60mmHg
What can happen is MABP is too high?
Damage to organs, vessels and extra strain is placed on the heart
What is TPR?
Total peripheral resistance
The sum of all the resistances in systemic and peripheral circulations
What are the main resistance vessels and what eveidence is there for this?
Arterioles
The blood pressure drops the most after entering these vessels
What effect does parasympathetic stimualtion have on the cardiovascular system?
- Decreases heart rate
- Decreases cardiac output
- Decreases MABP
What effects does sympathetic stimulation have on the cardiovascular system?
- Increase heart rate
- Increase contractile strength
- Increase cardiac output (increased stroke volume)
- Increase MABP
What are baroreceptors?
Pressure receptors