Pressure and flow in arteries and veins Flashcards
What are the ways to measure BP?
Arterial line
Auscultation using Korotkoff sounds (turbulent blood flow)
Oscillatory BP measurements
How is arterial line BP measured?
Line inserted into radial or brachial artery and BP measured continuously
What are the advantages or disadvantages of measuring BP by arterial line?
Ad - Continuously measures BP accurately
Dis - Invasive so only for acutely unwell
How is Korotkoff sounds measured?
Using a sphygmomanometer (inflatable cuff and pump) and a stethoscope
What are the advantages and disadvantages of measuring BP by Korotkoff sounds?
Advantages: non-invasive, cheap, quick and easy to use.
Disadvantages: Discontinuous and takes time, accuracy (calibration of device, size of cuff for patient, doctor judgement), needs care and skill
Korotkoff sounds - what do you hear when the cuff is not inflated
No sounds as no turbulent blood flow
Korotkoff sounds - what do you hear when pressure is increased above systolic pressure?
Hear nothing as completely occlude the vessel, no blood going through it
Korotkoff sounds - What do you hear when pressure in cuff falls below systolic?
Blood starts to flow back through artery, very turbulent, heart as a tapping sound = first Korotkoff sound
Korotkoff sounds - What doe you hear as pressure is slowly released?
Finally falls below diastolic BP laminar flow returns and you hear nothing
Korotkoff sounds - when do you hear first tapping?
Systolic BP
Korotkoff sounds - when do you stop hearing sounds?
Diastolic BP
How is oscillatory BP measured?
Turbulent blood flow sets up vibrations (oscillations) in the blood vessel wall.
Transducer monitors vibrations.
Maximum vibration occur at mean arterial pressure.
Algorithm estimates diastolic and systolic pressures.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of oscillatory BP?
Disadvantages: discontinuous, accuracy, needs care.
Advantages = non-invasive, cheap, easier to use, bit quicker.
Why does fluid/blood flow through a tube/vessels?
There’s high pressure at one end and low pressure at the other
Fluid flows down the pressure gradient
What happens in the LV in terms of pressure?
Big pressure changes
High in systole (blood is ejected) and low in diastole (heart is filling)
What happens to pressure throughout the vascular tree?
Small drop in pressure from heart to arteries
Large drop through arterioles
Low pressure in capillaries
Small pressure difference pushing blood back through veins
What is the drop in BP from heart to arteries and why?
95 mmHg to 90 mmHg
Low resistant conduit and wide lumen means its easy for blood to flow through
What is the drop in BP from arteries to arterioles and why?
90 mmHg to 40 mmHg
Arterioles are resistance vessels as have narrow lumen and thick muscular walls.
How can arterioles change TPR?
Muscles contract = constricting arterioles = increasing TPR
Muscles relax = dilate arteries = decreases TPR
What happens to pressure in the capillaries and why is this good?
Very low as capillaries are very thin-walled and wouldn’t cope with high pressure
What is the pressure change between capillaries and veins and what is this called?
20 mmHg to 5 mmHg
Called systemic filling pressure
How does pulmonary circulation compare to systemic circulation?
Pulmonary = 1/5 systemic
What is velocity of blood related to?
Total cross sectional area
What is the speed of blood in aorta compared to capillaries?
Fastest in aorta
Slowest in capillaries
What is the cross section area related to aorta and capillaries?
Aorta = small total cross sectional area as big but only one vessels
Capillaries = large total cross sectional area as individually tiny but there are many of them
What happens when ventricles contract?
Ventricle contracts
Semi-lunar valve opens and blood is ejected from ventricles and flows into the arteries.
Aorta and arteries expand and store pressure in elastic walls.
What happens when ventricles relax?
Isovolumic ventricular relaxation
Semi-lunar valve shunts, preventing flow back into right ventricle
Elastic recoil of arteries sends blood forward into rest of circulatory system
What type of artery is the aorta?
Elastic artery