Abstract The cardiovascular system distributes blood around the body. It is divided into the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. The systemic circulation is a ‘pressure-constant, flow-variable’ system. Chapter 33…
Abstract The Frank–Starling law (also known as Starling’s law of the heart) states that the strength of ventricular contraction is dependent on the length of the resting fibres. In other…
Abstract The oxygen extraction ratio (OER) is the ratio of oxygen consumption, V̇O2, to oxygen delivery, ḊO2 (see Chapter 17). At around 60%, the OER of the heart is near…
Abstract The cardiac cycle refers to the complete sequence of physiological events that occur in the heart, from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next. Chapter…
Abstract The right side of the heart generates flow around the pulmonary circulation, moving deoxygenated venous blood from the heart to the lungs. Chapter 27 Cardiac Anatomy and Function What…
Abstract The pulmonary circulation differs significantly in characteristics from the systemic circulation. The pulmonary circulation is a low-pressure, low-resistance, high-flow circulation: a blood flow of 5 L/min (i.e. 100% of…
Abstract The work of breathing is the energy consumed by the respiratory muscles throughout the respiratory cycle. Chapter 21 Work of Breathing What is meant by the term ‘work of…
Abstract Many of the drugs used by anaesthetists have effects on the medullary respiratory centre, the peripheral chemoreceptors and the airways. Their effects are most easily classified by drug class….
Abstract Respiratory failure occurs when the respiratory system fails in one or both of its main functions; namely, the oxygenation of blood and the elimination of CO2. Respiratory failure is…
Abstract The central nervous system (CNS), causing seizures and unconsciousness when breathing hyperbaric O2, which is of obvious importance for divers. CNS toxicity is known as the Paul Bert effect….
