Resp 16 - Pulmonary circulation Flashcards
How does the pressure in the pulmonary circulation differ from the systemic circulation?
MUCH LOWER than in the systemic circulation
State a key difference in the structure of the pulmonary arteries compared to the systemic arteries.
The pulmonary arteries have a greater lumen:wall thickness ratio meaning that they are more distensible/compliant
How does the mean arterial blood pressure vary between the systemic and pulmonary circulation?
MABP in the pulmonary circulation is 15% that of the systemic circulation
How does the pressure gradient and resistance differ between the systemic and pulmonary circulation?
10% of systemic
Where is ACE expressed? What does it do?
Lung and kidney endothelium.
Converts Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II
Breaks down bradykinin.
Describe the protective role of the pulmonary circulation.
The pulmonary circulation filters out small clots that could reach the brain or heart and cause sudden death. It filters the blood before it reaches the systemic circulation.
Can cause pulmonary embolism.
State and describe three pulmonary shunts.
Pulmonary shunt = bypassing exchange surfaces
1. Bronchial Circulation - branches off the thoracic aorta and returns to the pulmonary veins. It goes through the left side of the heart twice before the right side of the heart and so it bypasses the lungs.
Foetal ciruculation has 2 shunts:
2. Foramen Ovale - hole between RA and LA
3. Ductus Arteriosus
Provide a low resistance path for the blood from the right side of the heart to enter the left side of the heart without going through the lungs.
Give two examples of congenital heart defects.
ASD/Patent Foramen Ovale
VSD
How does the pulmonary circulation respond to an increase in cardiac output?
The pulmonary arteries are fairly compliant and so they can dilate to increase perfusion without causing much of a change in MABP and hence preventing pulmonary oedema.
Describe the perfusion across the lungs at rest when standing up.
The base of the lungs is more perfused that the apex - due to gravity and the fact that blood follows the path of least resistance.
Describe and explain the effects of increasing ventilation on pulmonary
resistance.
Ventilation increases pulmonary resistance at the EXTREMITIES
When it is near residual volume (forced expiration), the intrathoracic pressure presses on the extra-alveolar arteries thus increasing resistance.
When it is near TLC, the expansion of the alveolus presses on the alveolar arteries thus increasing resistance.
How do the systemic and pulmonary circulation differ in their response to hypoxia?
Systemic - vasodilation to increase perfusion to match metabolic demand
Pulmonary - vasoconstriction
What channel is response for this response to hypoxia?
Oxygen sensitive potassium channel. Causes decreased K+ efflux so membrane potential, etc, VSMC constriction.
Give an example of a situation in which the response of the pulmonary circulation to hypoxia is USEFUL.
Foetal Development - prevent blood from flowing through the lungs. Increased pulmonary constriction means more resistance so more blood flowing through shunts as they are lower resistance pathways.
Give an example of a situation in which the response of the pulmonary circulation to hypoxia is DETRIMENTAL.
COPD - obstruction leads to hypoventilated airways causing vasoconstriction
This increases the resistance of the pulmonary circulation leading to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy. This can lead to congestive heart failure.
