Pressure and Flow in Arteries Flashcards
How can you measure arterial pressure?
By inserting an arterial line (thin catheter) into an artery
When measuring arterial pressure, where would you usually insert the arterial line (thin catheter)?
Radial artery at the wrist
or
Brachial artery at the elbow.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an arterial line?
Advantages- continuously measures BP, very accurate
Disadvantage- invasive
As using an arterial line is invasive, how would we usually measure someone’s arterial pressure?
Auscultation of Korotkoff sounds using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Korotkoff sounds?
Advantages- non-invasive, cheap
Disadvantages- discontinuous, less accurate, requires skill and care.
Auscultation?
Listening w a stethoscope
What are Korotkoff sounds?
Turbulent blood flow
What does a sphygmomanometer measure?
BP
When using a sphygmomanometer, what will you here on the brachial artery before inflating the cuff?
Nothing as there is no turbulent blood flow.
What do you hear when you inflate the cuff to beyond systolic pressure?
You hear nothing as you completely occlude the vessel so no turbulent blood flow.
When will you start to hear Korotkoff sounds?
When the pressure in the cuff falls below systolic pressure as blood starts flowing back into the artery
What is the pattern of sounds you will hear in your stethoscope when manually taking blood pressure?
Silence -> Tapping -> Thumping -> Muffled -> Silence
What is the point at which you first hear the tapping sound known as?
Systolic blood pressure
What is the point where the sounds completely disappear known as?
Diastolic blood pressure.
What are oscialltions?
Vibrations generated from turbulent blood flow.
