Vascular SM, BVs and Vasodilation/Vasoconstriction Flashcards
Where is pulsatility lost
In arterioles
Where is there a major site of pressure fall
In arterioles 75 mmHg -> 35 mmHg
Where is there a further pressure fall
Capillaries 35 mmHg -> 15 mmHg
What is the pressure gradient driving blood back to the heart through veins like
It’s LOW
Relationship between pressure and flow
V = I x R MAP = CO x TPR R = change in pressure/flow (CO)
Importance of the site of the biggest pressure drop
MAJOR SITE OF RESISTANCE => arterioles
Poiseuille’s Law
R = 8 x n x l/pi x r4
What is a major determinant of blood viscosity (n)
Hct decreased Hct in anaemia => decreased resistance to flow Increased Hct in polycythemia => increased resistance to flow
Radius of vessel and resistance
R is proportional to 1/r4
How are resistances arranged MOSTLY in systemic circulation
in parallel
What is autoregulation
When metabolism with an organ is constant, autoregulation keeps blood flow constant in the face of changing arterial BP
What is the critical closing pressure
- Flow drops to 0 at a pressure of 20-30 mmHg
- This critical closing pressure is believed to be the minimum pressure necessary to keep small blood vessels open
Pressure range where blood flow is constant
70 -170 mmHg
What is the myogenic response
Originates in SM cells
SM cells contract in response to increase in arterial wall tension when BP rises
SM cells relax in responsr to decrease in arterial wall tension when BP falls
Mechanism of action for myogenic response
- Increase stretch of VSM
- Spread of depolarisation through gap junctions
- VSM cell opens stretch-operated Ca2+ channels and allows more Ca2+ into cell
- => increased force of contraction
- Increased resistance
NT = noradrenaline
What factor is important in maintenance of BP
TPR
What would happen if the arterioles were to dilate simultaneously
BP would drop to a dangerously low level
4 factors influencing tension/tone of vascular SM
- Local factors
- Neural activity
- Hormones
- Paracrines
Structure of VSM cells
Neural activity - impact on tone of VSM
sympathetic activity - neurogenic
What are HORMONAL vasoconstrictors
- Epinephrine acting on alpha-receptors
- ADH
- Ang II
- Cortisol
What are HORMONAL vasodilators
Epinephrine acting on beta-receptors
PARACRINE vasoconstrictors (2)
Some prostaglandins (endothelium and platelets)
EDCF (endothelin)
PARACRINE vasodilators (3)
Some prostaglandins (including prostacyclin)
Histamine
EDRF (NO)
TISSUE METABOLITE vasodilators (4)
CO2
Lactate
H+
Adenosine
TISSUE METABOLITE vasoconstrictor
O2
SNS plays an important part in controlling which factor of the CV system
TPR
What BVs are NOT by the SNS
Capillaries and small arterioles