The Cardiovascular System (Part 3)

The Path of a Red Blood Cell Left ventricle Aorta Systemic circulation Vena cava Right atrium Right ventricle Pulmonary artery Pulmonary circulation Pulmonary vein Left atrium

Pulmonary Circulation Deoxygenated blood is delivered to the lung by the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery divides into left and right and then divides into lobar arteries within the lung

into lobar arteries within the lung Blood passes through the capillary bed and is oxygenated Oxygenated blood is delivered to the heart by the pulmonary vein Systemic Circulation Arterial component Aorta Coronary arteries Thoracic aorta Brachiocephalic trunk Abdominal aorta Venous component Cranial vena cava Drains head, neck, thoracic limbs, thorax Caudal vena cava Internal and external iliac veins Portal system Hepatic system is where the portal vein divides again in to a second bed of capillaries within the liver

Fetal Circulation The fetus depends on the mare for nutrients, water, oxygen, and for elimination of waste

for elimination of waste The lungs aren't functional until the neonate takes its rst breath The fetal circulation essentially bypasses the pulmonary system

Umbilical arteries To the placenta Umbilical vein From the placenta Ductus venosus Delivers oxygenated blood directly to the vena cava of the fetus Foramen ovale Between left and right atrium Bypasses the lung Ductus arteriosus Connects the pulmonary trunk and the aorta Bypasses the pulmonary arteries Electrical Activity of the Heart Similarly to skeletal muscle, to trigger movement, each cardiac cell requires an action potential at the cell membrane This brings about the release of calcium, causing contraction of the muscle bers and depolarization Measuring Electrical Activity Electrocardiography Recording electrodes are placed on the surface of the body in specic sites (also called "leads) Patterns of electrical activity (rhythm) are recorded

"Arrhythmia" = abnormality of electrical activity Cardiac Muscle Cardiac muscle is NOT innervated by a motor neuron The action potential is regulated by a specialized coup of cells found in the sinoatrial node (SA node) The SA node propagates the signal to contract via the intercalated discs The Sinoatrial (SA) Node Is called the pacemaker of the heart It can spontaneously develop an action potential and communicate to all myocardial cells to produce a CONTRACTION! Also uses other specialized cells in the "AV node" and purkinje bers to delay signal to ventricles What changes the heartbeat? Combination of innervation (to SA and AV) from the autonomic (non voluntary) nervous system Sympathetic In the excited horse - increases heart rate Parasympathetic In the relaxed horse - decreases heart rate Cardiac Output (CO) Volume of blood pumped by the ventricle over a given period of time CO = Heart Rate x Stroke Volume Stroke Volume: how much blood is in the heart before it contracts? Can be changed by: Filling of the ventricle (end diastolic volume) Contractility of the heart muscle Filling the ventricle with blood... Depends on: Filling pressure from the veins and atrium Directly related to blood pressure in the veins and blood volume Ability for the ventricle to relax and stretch Size of heart ventricles Elasticity of myocardium Secretariat the Racehorse His heart weighed close to 22 pounds The average thoroughbred heart weighs 9 pounds Increased ability to pump blood to the body and limbs In a normal-sized heart - what effects the ventricular lling?

Many factors... When there is venous constriction, there is an increase in the rate of ventricular lling When the heart rate is slow, there is an increase in the time for the ventricle to ll Contractility of Heart Muscle Affected by neurotransmitters of the autonomic nervous system E.g. Epinephrine Increases cardiac contractility by binding to receptors and increasing Ca+ in muscle cells In Summary The cardiac output of the horse is regulated by: Heart Rate Stroke Volume Filling of the ventricle (venous pressure + volume) Contractility of heart muscle (A.N.S.) Cardiovascular health and tness can be assessed by: Heart rate Heart rhythm Ability of the myocardium to contract Blood pressure in the venous system Blood Pressure Affected by the physiology of the microvasculature Arteries Veins Capillary beds Anatomy of the Blood Vessel Arteries and veins have 3 layers: Tunica interna Tunica media Tunica externa All are lined by endothelium (simple squamous epithelium)

Arteries Much thicker tunica media Contains smooth muscle Elastic arteries - special type that have elastic properties for expansion and contraction during the cardiac cycle Aorta Veins Also have smooth muscle Some veins below the level of the heart have ap-like valves to promote one-way ow of venous blood back to the heart Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is inuenced by: Peripheral resistance Arteries and veins Highest in the arterioles Blood volume Effects cardiac output Nervous system

Sympathetic and parasymethatic Receptors in the aorta, atrium Endocrine system Kidney enzyme renin MAP = CO x TPR During Exercise... The horse has an increased need for cardiac output and blood ow to skeletal muscle Increase in heart rate Vasodilation of arterioles in muscle Vascular resistance in other organs