Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume, & Clinical Calculations

A series of 25 vocabulary flashcards related to cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction, blood pressure, and clinical calculations.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood the heart pumps into the aorta every minute.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each beat, usually 60-100 mL/beat.

Ejection Fraction

The percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each beat, normal range is between 55-70%.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in a patient's arteries during one full cardiac cycle; normal range is 80-100 mmHg.

Systolic Blood Pressure

Peak pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

Pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

Stroke Volume Formula

SV = EDV - ESV, where EDV is end-diastolic volume and ESV is end-systolic volume.

Cardiac Output Formula

CO = Stroke Volume (SV) × Heart Rate (HR).

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The resistance that blood must overcome to flow through the circulatory system.

Determinants of Blood Pressure

Factors that influence blood pressure including cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter

A device used to measure cardiac output and pressures in the heart.

Turbulence

Chaotic blood flow that increases resistance and is caused by high flow rates or obstructions.

End-Diastolic Volume (EDV)

The total amount of blood in the left ventricle before it contracts.

End-Systolic Volume (ESV)

The volume of blood left in the left ventricle after contraction.

Compensatory Tachycardia

Increased heart rate that occurs to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased perfusion.

Normal Heart Rate Range

60-100 beats per minute.

Mean Arterial Pressure Formula

MAP = (2 × Diastolic BP + Systolic BP) / 3.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which can occur in low systemic vascular resistance.

Vasoconstrictors

Medications or substances that narrow blood vessels and increase systemic vascular resistance.

Blood Viscosity

The thickness of blood, affecting its flow and resistance in the circulatory system.

Shortness of Breath and Chest Discomfort

Common symptoms that may indicate heart or respiratory issues.

Decompensated Heart Failure

A state where the heart is unable to maintain adequate blood flow, leading to reduced perfusion.

Normal Systemic Vascular Resistance Range

800–1200 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵.

Clinical Outcomes

The results or impacts of a medical condition or treatment, typically evaluated on factors like heart function and blood pressure.

Heart Pump Action

The function of the heart to move blood through the circulatory system.

Blood Pressure Measurement

Can indicate flow, back pressure, and resistance in circulation.

Vessel Diameter

Crucial factor in regulating SVR, vasoconstriction increases, vasodilation decreases. 

Blood viscosity

Thicker blood increases resistance.

Vessel length

A longer vessel increases the total surface area for friction thereby increasing resistance.