Sesh 1: Anatomy and Haemodynamics

Question 1

What is the normal CO?

Answer 1

5 L.min-1

Question 2

What can CO increase to during exercise?

Answer 2

25 L.min-1

Question 3

Where is the pericardial cavity?

Answer 3

Between the parietal and visceral pericardium

Question 4

What is the normal function of the pericardial cavity?

Answer 4

Contains a small amount of serous fluid to help reduce friction with heart movements.

Question 5

What is cardiac tamponade?

Answer 5

Occurs when there is a rapid pericardial effusion, compressing the heart due to the outer fibrous layer of the pericardium.

Question 6

What part of the heart constitutes most of its anterior surface?

Answer 6

The RV

Question 7

Where do the L and R coronary arteries arise from?

Answer 7

L and R aortic sinuses- open into coronary ostia.

Question 8

Which main artery supplies the LV, RV and septum of the heart?

Answer 8

Left anterior descending (anterior interventricular) artery

Question 9

What is the difference between plasma and serum?

Answer 9

Plasma is collected from unclotted blood (i.e. had heparin added), whereas serum is collected from clotted blood.

Question 10

What can increased blood viscosity cause?

Answer 10

Sludging of blood in peripheries

Question 11

What is the major cause of increased blood viscosity?

Answer 11

Multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells)

Question 12

What is the main structure receiving venous drainage from the heart?

Answer 12

Coronary sinus

Question 13

Which coronary vein unusually runs in the same direction as a coronary artery?

Answer 13

Great cardiac vein runs with L circumflex artery

Question 14

What type of flow results in the greatest velocity in middle of vessel, and has a parabolic flow profile?

Answer 14

Laminar flow

Question 15

Name 3 situations that can lead to turbulent flow…?

Answer 15

1. Rate of blood flow becomes too high e.g. in anaemia
2. Obstruction/ stenosis of vessel
3. Rough surface e.g. atheroma

Question 16

What units is blood flow measured in?

Answer 16

mL/min

Question 17

What is a thrill?

Answer 17

Vibration felt in a vessel after a stenosis.

Question 18

What is a bruit?

Answer 18

Noise heard in a vessel after a stenosis.

Question 19

On a pressure tracing graph of blood flow, what does the dicrotic notch represent?

Answer 19

Aortic valve closure

Question 20

What does the time from the start of the anacrotic limb, to the dicrotic notch on a pressure tracing graph represent?

Answer 20

Systole

Question 21

How do you calculate pulse pressure?

Answer 21

PP= SBP- DBP

Question 22

How do you calculate MAP (2 ways)?

Answer 22

MAP= DBP + 1/3 PP
MAP= CO X TPR

Question 23

What is the pulse?

Answer 23

The shock wave felt before the blood itself flows throuhg an artery.

Question 24

Reduced force of LV ejection gives rise to a ______ pulse

Answer 24

thready

Question 25

What leads to a bounding pulse?

Answer 25

Widening in pulse pressure e.g. due to bradycardia, reduced peripheral resistance, or aortic incompetence

Question 26

Define Stroke Volume, and state its normal value.

Answer 26

The amount of blood pumped by each ventricle per beat.

Normally is 70 mL.

Question 27

What anatomical feature prevents inversion of valves in systole?

Answer 27

Chordae tendinae attach valve cusps to papillary muscles.

Question 28

Where is the SAN?

Answer 28

RA