Cardiovascular interaction

8 important questions on Cardiovascular interaction

What is the volume that can be in the arterial or venous system that causes no stretch? (so the unstretched volume)

Arterial = 0.5 L
Venous = 2 L

Is the arterial or venous system more compliant?

The venous system, an increase in volume results in a slow increase in pressure, while for the arterial system the pressure rises rather quick.

What pressure determines how far the ventricle will fill?

The preload, which is the CVP
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What pressure determines how much volume is ejected?

The afterload, the MAP

How is the cardiac function determined?

Intrinsic functions:
  • Chronotropy (heart rate)
  • Inotropy (systolic function)
  • Lusitropy (diastolic function) 

Loading conditions:
  • preload and afterload

How is the vascular function determined?

Resistance (dP/flow)
Compliance (dV/dP)

What is cardiovascular interaction?

Matching: cardiac output = venous return

Normally the cardiovascular system is at equilibrium, CO=VR, but what happens when CO > VR?

There is a volume shift from venous to the arterial system, so the volume in the arterial system increases. This results in:
-> increase in MAP and decrease in CVP => increase of dP
-> an increase of ESV and decrease of EDV => decrease of SV
-> increase VR and decrease CO
-> new steady-state CO=VR

--> the new level will always be higher! So, a higher CO, higher MAP and lower CVP

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