The Cardiac Cycle Flashcards
How many phases is each heart beat split into. How long does each phase last?
Diastole (ventricular relaxation); lasts approximately 2/3 of each beat.
Systole (ventricular contraction); lasts approximately 1/3 of each beat.
How many phases are present in diastole and systole. Name each phase in the correct order.
Diastole - 4 phases
Systole - 3 phases
Atrial systole (part of diastolic phase) Isovolumetric contraction Rapid Ejection Slow Ejection Isovolumetric relaxation Rapid passive filling Slow passive filling
Equation for SV?
SV = EDV (~120ml) - ESV (~50ml) = 70ml
How do you calculate ejection fraction?
EF = (SV/EDV) x 100 = 70/120 x 100 = 58%
Normal range is 52-72%
What valve is between the RA and RV?
Tricuspid valve
What valve is between the LA and LV?
Mitral (bicuspid) valve
What valves are between the RV and pulmonary artery and the LV and aorta?
Right side - pulmonary valve
Left side - aortic valve
What wave on an ECG signifies start of atrial systole?
P-wave
What happens during atrial systole?
Electrical activity signified by P-wave on ECG stimulates atrial muscle to contract.
Atria already almost full from passive filling driven by pressure gradient. Atria contract to ‘top-up’ the volume of the blood ventricle.
(Atrial systole through atrial contraction stimulated by waves of excitation from the SAN causes ventricles to fill with max capacity of blood (EDV).)
What abnormal heart sound can be heard in during atrial systole?
4th Heart sound - occurs with congestive HF, PE or tricuspid incompetence.
What is the relationship between atrial contribution to ventricular filling to the duration of diastolic filling?
Inversely proportional
The longer the diastolic period the greater the ventricle will fill passively with blood hence the atrial contribution will decrease.
Roughly what percentage of ventricular filling does atrial systole account for?
~10%
High HR affects this value as there is less time for passive ventricular filling. Hence the atrial systole may account for 40% of ventricular filling.
What happens to the atrial contribution to ventricular filling when the diastolic interval is shortened?
Increases
Is the pressure greater in the atria or ventricles during atrial systole?
Atria
What marks the start of ventricular depolarisation and hence the start of isovolumetric contraction?
QRS complex - electrical event
What is isovolumetric contraction phase?
Isovolumetric contraction is the interval between AV valves (tricuspid and mitral) closing, and the semi-lunar valves (pulmonary and aortic) opening.
Ventricular contraction proceeds against closed valves; therefore ventricles contract with no change in volume (Isovolumic). Contraction contributes to significant increase in pressure.
CONTRACTION OF VENTRICLES WITH NO CHANGE IN VOLUME
What heart sound is heard during isovolumetric contraction and what is it caused by?
1st Heart Sound (Lub) due to the closure of the AV valves.
What type of contraction occurs in the ventricular muscles during isovolumetric contraction?
Isometric - don’t change length/stretch and pressure inside ventricles increases.
What is rapid ejection?
Period at which the ventricular pressure > aortic and pulmonary pressure (afterload), semi-lunar (pulmonary and aortic) valves open, demarcating the initiation of this phase. Ventricular pressure is achieved through isometric contraction. Isotonic contraction (sarcomere shortening) assists expulsion. ESV (residual volume present in ventricles) succeeds the ventricular/rapid ejection phase. Opening of the semi-lunar valves facilitates blood ejection (Stroke volume) through the pressure gradient into systemic and pulmonary circulation → Decreasing ventricular volume.
Are there any hearts sounds during rapid ejection?
No heart sounds.
No valves closing.
What initiates the rapid ejection phase?
Inter-ventricular pressures exceed the pressure in aorta and PA.
What phase marks the end of systole?
Reduced ejection