Mechanical ventilation, has significant effects on the cardiovascular system. These effects are primarily due to changes in intrathoracic pressure and can influence cardiac output, venous return, and overall hemodynamics. Mechanical ventilation can cause cyclic changes in blood flow in the vena cava, pulmonary artery, and aorta. These changes can be reflected in blood pressure swings, which […]
Category: Cardiovascular
CVP
Central venous pressure (CVP) is the pressure within the thoracic vena cava near the right atrium of the heart, and it reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system. The determinants of CVP include: 1. Blood Volume 2. Venous Tone […]
Juglular Venous Pulse
JVP – Measures central venous pressure (Right atrial pressure) JVP is a biphasic pulse seen along the sterno-cleio-mastoid muscle of the neck. JVP is important physical exam to evaluate cardiac conditions. You can do this because there is no valve in the internal jugular vein Normal JVP wave consists of 3 positive (+) waves and […]
Arterial Line Waveform
Interpreting an arterial line (art line) involves understanding the various components of the waveform, which represent different phases of the cardiac cycle. Here’s a detailed explanation of the steps of an arterial line waveform: Positioning and Calibration Components of the Waveform Assessing Waveform Morphology Troubleshooting Common Issues Clinical Applications References
Preload, Afterload & Contractility
Preload, afterload, and contractility are essential concepts in cardiovascular physiology that describe different aspects of heart function. Understanding these parameters is crucial for comprehending how the heart pumps blood and how various factors, including medications, can influence its performance. Preload refers to the degree of stretch of the cardiac myocytes (heart muscle cells) at the […]