Pumps blood through the blood vessels to all body cells.
Is covered by a protective sac called the pericardium which is divided into two layers the visceral and parietal pericardium.
Is divided into right and left sides by the septum.
Each side consists of an atria and a ventricle.
Layers of the Heart
Structure and Function
Layers of the Heart
Inside the pericardium, the heart has three layers of tissue.
Epicardium (outermost layer)
Myocardium (middle layer of muscular tissue)
Endocardium (inner layer)
myocardium
epicardium
endocardium
Heart Chambers
Structure and Function
Heart Chambers
Right and left atria are the upper chambers of the heart.
Right and left ventricles are the lower chambers of the heart.
Fibers in the ventricles (Purkinje fibers) cause the ventricles to contract.
Blood flows through the heart in only one direction regulated by valves.
Arteries and Veins
Structure and Function
Arteries
Carry blood away from the heart.
Carry blood toward the heart.
V
e
i
n
s
Valves of the Heart
Structure and Function
Valves of the Heart
Atrioventricular Valves
Semilunar Valves
Control blood flow within the heart
Prevent the backflow of blood into the heart
Cross Sectional Top View of Heart
Bicuspid valve (mitral)
Tricuspid valve
Pulmonary valve
Aortic valve
Coronary Circulation
Structure and Function
Coronary Circulation
Circulation of blood within the heart muscle by the coronaryarteries.
Coronary arteries branch off of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body.
Coronary arteries encircle the heart to supply the heart muscle with about 100 gallons of blood daily.
The heart requires more oxygen than any other organ in the body except the brain.
Pulmonary Circulation
Structure and Function
Pulmonary Circulation
Circulation of blood between the heart and lungs.
Pulmonary arteries are the only arteries to carry blood low in oxygen.
Pulmonary veins are the only veins to carry oxygen rich blood.
Systemic Circulation
Structure and Function
Systemic Circulation
Flow of blood between the heart and the cells of the entire body.
Blood travels through the body in a surge as a result of the heart contractions.
Blood vessels become smaller in diameter as the blood leaves the heart.
artery
arteriole
capillary
venule
vein
Remember arteries leave the heart and veins return to the heart. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and they serve as a transfer station between the arteries and veins.
Cardiology is the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the physician who specializes in heart conditions is called a cardiologist.
Auscultation may reveal the following abnormal heart sounds:
Murmur
Bruit
Gallop
Common Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Common Diagnostic Tests
Exercise tolerance test (ETT)
Patients exercise on a treadmill and the technician monitors the heart rate and respiratory rate.
Electrocardiography
Produces an electrocardiogram which measures the amount of electricity that flows through the heart.
Electrodes placed on the skin at specific points detect the heart’s electrical impulses.
Tests Involving X-Rays
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Tests involving x-rays
Angiocardiogram
-injection of a dye followed by x-rays of the heart and the heart’s large blood vessels
Others Tests
angiogram
arteriogram
aortogram
venogram(phlebogram)
ventriculogram
Ultrasound Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Ultrasound tests produce images by using sound waves.
Doppler ultrasound
Measures blood flow in certain blood vessels
Echocardiography
Records sound waves to show the structure and movement of the heart
Other Noninvasive Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Other Noninvasive Tests
Cardiac scan
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) angiography
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other procedures require insertion of an actual device such as a catheter into a vein or artery, and the device is guided to the heart as with cardiac catheterizations.
Laboratory Tests
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests
LDL
HDL
The flow of blood in the arteries is affected by the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides contained in the blood.
High-density lipoproteins actually remove lipids from the arteries and protect from the formation of blockages.
Low-density lipoproteins and very low-density lipoproteins cause cholesterol to form blockages in the arteries.
Laboratory Test Part 2
Diagnostic, Procedural and
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests
Also help to diagnose myocardial infarction.
Troponin T and troponin I are proteins found in the heart and tests for these can diagnose a myocardial infarction faster than most other lab tests.
Cardiac enzymes also called serum enzyme tests measure the amount of enzymes released into the blood by the damaged heart muscle during a myocardial infarction.
-CPK (creatine phosphokinase)
-LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)
-GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase)
Pathology
Pathology
Risk Factors to Developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Occurs when the heart is unable to pump the necessary amount of blood.
Specific Inflammatory Heart Conditions
Pathology
Specific Inflammatory Conditions of the Heart
endocarditis
myocarditis
bacterial endocarditis
pericarditis
Other Conditions
cardiomyopathy
intracardiac tumor
Congenital Heart Conditions
Pathology
Valve Conditions
Aortic regurgitation
Mitral insufficiency
Mitral valve prolapse
Tricuspid stenosis
Valvulitis
Rheumatic heart disease
Congenital Heart Conditions
Patent ductus arteriosus
Septal defect
Tetralogy of Fallot
Surgical Terms
Surgical Terms
The goal of most cardiovascular surgery is to improve blood flow to all body cells.
PTCA
Surgical Terms
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a surgical procedure in which a balloon catheter is inserted into a blocked blood vessel to increase the blood flow of that vessel.
Narrowed artery with balloon catheter positioned.
Inflated balloon presses against arterial wall.
Cardiac Catheterization
Surgical Terms
Cardiac Catheterization is the most common type of operation performed in the United States.
Some conditions require the creation of a bypass around blockages.
Coronary bypass surgery
A vein from another part of the body is often used as a graft to bypass an arterial blockage.
Saphenous vein and the mammary arteries are commonly used as grafts for this procedure.
Fontan’s operation
Creates a bypass from the right atrium to the main pulmonary artery.
Removal & Replacement Surgery
Surgical Terms
Surgical removal and replacement procedures
Heart transplant
Thrombectomy
Embolectomy
Atherectomy
Valve replacement
Endarterectomy
Arteriotomy
Valvotomy
Venipuncture
Surgical reconstruction and repair procedures
Valvuloplasty
Anastomosis
Pharmacology
Pharmacology
Drug therapy for the cardiovascular system generally treats the following conditions:
angina
heart attack
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
congestive heart failure
rhythm disorders
vascular problems
CARDIOVASCULAR
CONDITIONS
Antianginals
Pharmacology
Antianginals
Relieve pain and prevent attacks of angina
Three Categories of Drugs:
nitrates
(nitroglycerine)
beta blockers
(atenolol)
calcium channel blockers
(nifedipine)
Hypertension
Pharmacology
High blood pressure may require treatment with one or more drugs.
Medications for:
HYPERTENSION
vasodilators
diuretics
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Congestive Heart Failure
Pharmacology
Congestive heart failure is treated with medications that increase myocardial contractions. In certain situations the blood vessels may need to be narrowed as well.
Rhythm disorders are treated with medications that normalize the heart rate by affecting the nervous system that controls the heart rate.
Medications for:
RHYTHM
DISORDERS
beta blockers
calcium channel blockers
Pharmacology – Other Medications
Pharmacology
Other Medications
Lipid-lowering drugs help the body excrete unwanted cholesterol.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications inhibit the ability of the blood to clot.
Medications used for vascular problems may include drugs that decrease the thickness of the blood or drugs that increase the amount of blood the heart is able to pump.
and all veins except one carry deoxygenated blood.
The ( ) artery carries deoxygenated blood.
The ( ) vein carries oxygenated blood.
pulmonary
pulmonary
Apply Your Knowledge
Apply Your Knowledge Part 2
In fetal circulation, blood flows from the right atrium through the foramen ovale into the left atrium. What would happen if the foramen ovale remained open permanently after birth?
Answer:
This would result in a mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, which would cause an impairment in the delivery of oxygenated blood to the body cells.
Apply Your Knowledge
Apply Your Knowledge Part 3
Henry, age 56, arrives at a local emergency room complaining of chest “tightness”. Which of the following tests might the physician order to evaluate his symptoms?
A. Holter monitor
B. electrocardiography
C. doppler ultrasound
Answer: B. electrocardiography
Apply Your Knowledge
Apply Your Knowledge Part 4
In mitral valve prolapse, which of the following would you expect to occur based on your knowledge of the normal flow of blood through the heart?
A. Blood would become congested in the lower legs
B. Blood would become congested in the vena cava
C. Blood would become congested in the lungs.
Answer: C. Blood would become congested in the lungs
