Cardiovascular physiology is the study of the cardiovascular system, specifically addressing the physiology of the heart ("cardio") and blood vessels ("vascular").
These subjects are sometimes addressed separately, under the names cardiac physiology and circulatory physiology.Overview at Medical College of Georgia
Although the different aspects of cardiovascular physiology are closely interrelated, the subject is still usually divided into several subtopics.
Heart
Cardiac output (= heart rate * stroke volume. Can also be calculated with Fick principle, palpating method.) Stroke volume (= end-diastolic volume − end-systolic volume) Ejection fraction (= stroke volume / end-diastolic volume) Cardiac output is mathematically ` to systole Inotropic, chronotropic, and dromotropic states Cardiac input (= heart rate * suction volume Can be calculated by inverting terms in Fick principle) Suction volume (= end-systolic volume + end-diastolic volume) Injection fraction (=suction volume / end-systolic volume) Cardiac input is mathematically ` to diastole Electrical conduction system of the heart Electrocardiogram Cardiac marker Cardiac action potential Frank–Starling law of the heart Wiggers diagram Pressure volume diagram
Regulation of blood pressure Baroreceptor Baroreflex Renin–angiotensin system Renin Angiotensin Juxtaglomerular apparatus Aortic body and carotid body Autoregulation Cerebral Autoregulation
Hemodynamics
Under most circumstances, the body attempts to maintain a steady mean arterial pressure.
When there is a major and immediate decrease (such as that due to hemorrhage or standing up), the body can increase the following: Heart rate Total peripheral resistance (primarily due to vasoconstriction of arteries) Inotropic state
In turn, this can have a significant impact upon several other variables: Stroke volume Cardiac output Pressure Pulse pressure (systolic pressure - diastolic pressure) Mean arterial pressure (usually approximated with diastolic pressure + 1/3 pulse pressure) Central venous pressure
Regional circulation
Name of circulation % of cardiac output Autoregulation Perfusion Comments pulmonary circulation 100% (deoxygenated) Vasoconstriction in response to hypoxia cerebral circulation 15% high under-perfused Fixed volume means intolerance of high pressure. Minimal ability to use anaerobic respiration coronary circulation 5% high under-perfused Minimal ability to use anaerobic respiration. Blood flow through the left coronary artery is at a maximum during diastole (in contrast to the rest of systemic circulation, which has a maximum blood flow during systole.) splanchnic circulation 15% low Flow increases during digestion. hepatic circulation 15% Part of portal venous system, so oncotic pressure is very low renal circulation 25% high over-perfused Maintains glomerular filtration rate skeletal muscular circulation 17% Perfusion increases dramatically during exercise. cutaneous circulation 2% over-perfused Crucial in thermoregulation. Significant ability to use anaerobic respiration
See also Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society
References
External links
Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts - Comprehensive explanation of basic cardiovascular concepts, based on a textbook of the same name. The Gross Physiology of the Cardiovascular System - Mechanical overview of cardiovascular function. Free eBook and video resources. Clinical Sciences - Cardiovascular An iPhone app covering detailed cardiovascular physiology and anatomy Quantitative Cardiovascular Physiology and Clinical Applications for Engineers