Key Points 1. The cartilaginous skeleton, myocardial fiber orientation, valves, blood supply, and conduction system of the heart determine its mechanical capabilities and limitations. 2. The cardiac myocyte is engineered for contraction and relaxation, not protein synthesis. 3. The cardiac…
KEY POINTS 1. Isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane decrease myocardial contractility, delay left ventricular (LV) relaxation, and attenuate early LV filling, but do not affect LV compliance. 2. Volatile anesthetics dilate arteriolar resistance and venous capacitance vessels, but do not alter…
Key Points 1. The coronary circulation is composed of several types of blood vessels, each with different structure and function, including the superficial conductive arteries, prearterioles, arterioles (resistance vessels), capillaries, and veins. 2. The major determinants of coronary blood flow…
Key Points 1. The cartilaginous skeleton, myocardial fiber orientation, valves, blood supply, and conduction system of the heart determine its mechanical capabilities and limitations. 2. The cardiac myocyte is engineered for contraction and relaxation, not protein synthesis. 3. Laplace’s law…