Vascular Physiology Flashcards
where in the CV system does BP decrease?
from LV to RV (systemic)
from RV to LV (pulmonary)
what is the equation for mean arterial pressure?
diastolic BP + 1/3 pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic)
how can BP be reduced medically?
modifying TPR
define BP
circulation of fluid contained within a space of definite volume
how do arterioles regulate blood flow?
intrinsic - local conditions surrounding blood vessels
extrinsic - nervous system input
what is the sympathetic regulation of blood vessels?
nerve terminals release neurotransmitters acting on vascular smooth muscle to induce vasoconstriction or vasodilation
name 3 signalling molecules responsible for vasoconstriction
norepinephrine
ATP
neuropeptide Y
name 2 signalling molecules responsible for vasodilation
vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
nitric oxide
name the factors that alter vascular resistance
vascular viscosity
blood vessel length (increased length = increased resistance)
blood vessel radius
what increases after vasodilation in arterioles?
capillary pressure
what are some of the local controls of arterioles?
changes in O2, CO2, cellular metabolites dilate arterioles (active hyperaemia)
blocking blood flow induces reactive hyperaemia
flow autoregulation: flow through vessels releases molecules regulating blood vessel diameter
what is blood flow determined by?
pressure gradient (high -> low)
TPR
what are the controlled variables in the central control of BP?
CO
TPR
local controls
capillary fluid shift
what happens in the brain during BP control? (increase)
baroreceptor input to nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) at a2 receptors
vagal nucleus activated producing ACl reducing CO
bulbar circulatory centres inhibited reducing noradrenaline, dilating blood vessels
what happens in the brain during BP control? (decrease)
baroreceptor input goes to NTS at b1 receptors
vagal nucleus inhibited reducing ACl production increasing HR
bulbar circulatory centres activated producing noradrenaline constricting veins increasing force/flow
what are the risk factors for hypertension?
age
obesity
salt-heavy diet
sedentary lifestyle
explain the structural changes occuring in vessels with hypertension
loss of elasticity
arteriole - arteriolosclerosis
artery - arteriosclerosis
endothelial lining damage
collagen deposition and calcification
vessel layer overstretching
what are the causes of secondary hypertension?
renal hypertension
pheochromocytoma
what can chronic hypertension lead to?
atherosclerosis
stroke
MI
heart/renal failure
retinopathy
give some examples of beta adrenoreceptor blockers and explain the mechanism
propranolol (b1/b2), atenolol (b1)
competitive reversible antagonists
lower BP by blocking sympathetic tone on heart and reducing renin released from kidney
also lowers HR, SV and CO
what are the side effects of beta adrenoreceptor blockers?
exacerbates asthma (b2 block)
intolerance buildup
hypoglycaemia
vivid dreams
give some examples of alpha adrenoreceptor blockers and explain their mechanism
phentolamine (a1/a2), doxazosin/prazosin (a1)
competitive reversible antagonists lowering BP and PR by decreasing sympathetic tone in arterioles (a1)
what are the side effects of alpha adrenoreceptor blockers?
postural hypotension (loss of sympathetic venoconstriction)
reflex tachycardia (via baroreceptors)
give some examples of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and explain their mechanism
capropril/enalapril (-pril suffix)
inhibits renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) which converts angiotensin I into active angiotensin II