Week 3 Cardiology Flashcards
Layers of Heart wall (innermost to outermost)
- Endocardium
- Myocardium
- Epicardium
- Visceral layer of serous pericardium
- Pericardial Cavitity
- Parietal layer of pericardium
- Fibrous pericardium
Fibrous pericardium
Outermost layer, strong connective tissuse
Serous pericardium
Consists of the partial and visceral pericardium
Epicardium is made of
Adipose tissues, nerves, blood vessels
Myocardium is made of
Cardiomyocytes, conducting system
Endocardium
Innermost layer of the heart wall, signed cell thick
Structure of cardiac Myocytes
- Sarcomeres (The fundamental contractile units within cardiomyocytes; separated by Z-lines)
- Intercalated Disks (Specialised cell junctions that facilitate electrical and mechanical coupling)
- Couplons (crucial for calculus signalling)
- Axial tubules (Intracellular tubles that assist in s=distrubuting calcium for excitation contraction coupling within mycotyes)
How do Cardiomyocytes contract
Calcium induced calcium release (CICR), whereby extracellaurlar calcium flux triggers release from the SR
Lipofuscin
-pigment composed of lipid contains residues from lysomal digestion
-functions as an indicator of oxidative stress and cellular senescence, associated with various cardiomyopathies and het failure
Twisting wringing motions of Cardiomyocytes
-arranged in a helical range ent around the heart —> efficient contraction during systole
-coordinated
Sacromere shortening mechanism
- ATP binds to ATP binding site and calcium bonds to troponin
- Tropomyosin elicits a conformational change
- Actin binds to actin binding site on myosin
- Actin pulls myosin towards the M-Line, the Z-disk moves towards the M line, muscle contracts and the sacromere shortens
Semi lunar valves
-Arotic and pulmonary
-rely on pressure gradients to open and close as they lack papillary muscles and Chordae Tendineae
Atrioventricular valves
-Tricuspid and mitral valves
-have papillary muscles and chordae tendineae to control valve function
-Papilarry muscles attached to the walls contract to pull on the tendineae, ensuring proper closure
-then during distole they relax, allowing valve to open
Mitral Valve: Location, No. of cusps, Systole, Diastole
Location: Between La and LV
No. Of cusps: 2
Systole: closed
Diastole: open
Aortic Valve: Location, No. of cusps, Systole, Diastole
Location: Between LV and Aorta
No. Of cusps: 3
Systole: open
Diastole: closed
Pulmonary Valve: Location, No. of cusps, Systole, Diastole
Location: Between RV & Pulmonary trunk
No. Of cusps: 3
Systole: open
Diastole: closed
Tricuspid Valve: Location, No. of cusps, Systole, Diastole
Location: Between RA & RV
No. Of cusps: 3
Systole: closed
Diastole: open
When does papillary muscle contraction occur re ventricular muscle contraction
Slightly before
S1 heart sound
Closure of AtrioVentricular
Start of systole
S2 Heart sound
Closure of Semilunar valves
Just before start of diastole
S3 Heart sound
Blood striking compliant ventricle
Indicates systolic heart failure or regurgitation
Occurs mid diastolic
S4 heart sound
Blood striking non-compliant ventricle
Indicates ventricular hypertrophy or aortic stenosis
Is late diastolic
Frank-Starling law
Increased cardiac preload will increase the stretch of the cardiac muscle (myocardial fibres) during diastole, thus increasing the force with which blood is ejected during systole.
Describe the effect of physiological stressors, such as exercise, on cardiac function and haemodynamics.
-Overall increase heart rate and stroke volume —> higher cardiac output
• Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation leads to increased myocardial contractility (positive inotropy)
and faster heart rate (positive chronotropy), resulting in more efficient circulation of oxygenated blood.
• Exercise further induces vasodilation in skeletal muscle arterioles, reducing systemic vascular resistance and
optimising tissue perfusion.
• The increased venous return during exercise augments end-diastolic volume (preload), which, according to the
Frank-Starling mechanism, further boosts stroke volume.
Baroreceptor Reflex
(High Blood Pressure)
1.Mechanosensitive afferent nerve endings in the carotid artery sinuses and aortic arch detect arterial stretch
2.a signal is sent via the Vagus nerve (aortic) or the Glossopharyngeal Nerve (carotid) to the Medullary cardiovascular control center
3.After processing numerous Effects occur
* Sympathetic Inhibition –> negative ionotropic (reduces atrial contractility) and chronotropic (reduced firing in SA node –> lower HR) effect
* Parasympathetic activation via the vagus nerve –> decreased heart rate
* These lead to a decreased cardiac output
* Vasodilation also occurs due to sympathetic inhibition –> reduced peripheral resistance
4.Lower Blood pressure
5.Negative feedback loop
RAAS System
- Stimulus: Juxtaglomerular cells in the kidneys detect the decrease in BP or Na+
- These cells release renin
- Renin catalyses the conversion of angiotensinogen (released from the liver) to Angiotensin I
- ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) is released from the lungs and converts Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II
- Angiotensin II acts on smooth muscle of blood vessels to vasoconstrict
- Angiotensin II stimuluates release of Aldosterone from adrenal glands
- Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of Na+ and water alongside the excertion of K+ in the DCT and collecting duct
- increased blood volume and resistance
- Higher Blood Pressure
Control of vascular resistance
-Sympathetic nervous system: controls the rate of firing across sympathies nerve fibres dictates extent of resistance vessel vasoconstriction
-Adrenaline and Noradrenaline secretes from the adrenal gland innate vasocontration
-Angiotensin II and vasopressin also cause Vasoconstriction
Autoregulation of Cerebral Flow
• The autoregulation of cerebral blood flow ensures that the brain receives a consistent blood supply despite fluctuations in systemic blood pressure; remember, the brain requires high levels of oxygen and glucose.
• This process is primarily mediated through the myogenic response, where cerebral blood vessels constrict in
response to increased intravascular pressure to prevent excessive blood flow.
• Conversely, in low-pressure conditions, these vessels dilate to maintain adequate perfusion.
• Additionally, metabolic factors, such as elevated levels of CO2 and H+, cause local vasodilation to increase
blood flow to active brain regions.
• This regulation hence maintains optimal cerebral perfusion and protects brain function from pressure-induced
damage.