Cardiovascular Physiology

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from cardiovascular physiology.

Central Venous Pressure (CVP)

The pressure within the thoracic cavity, providing information regarding the volume status of the circulatory system.

Central Venous Compartment

Vena cavae and right atrium

Venous Return

The rate at which blood returns to the heart from peripheral vascular beds.

Starling Law of the Heart

The principle that an increase in the volume of blood filling the ventricle (preload) leads to increased stroke volume through enhanced ventricular contraction.

Arterial Pressure

The pressure of blood in the arteries, primarily determined by cardiac output and vascular resistance.

Peripheral Venous Pressure

The pressure within the peripheral veins that influences venous return, which can be affected by blood volume and venous tone.

Jugular Veins

Veins that drain blood from the head back to the heart; their fullness can be used to estimate central venous pressure noninvasively.

Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

The pressure measured in the pulmonary artery that can estimate left atrial pressure, used in clinical settings to evaluate heart function.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, determined by heart rate and stroke volume.

Ventricular Filling

The process by which blood fills the ventricles; influenced by central venous pressure.