Objective 4: Define cardiac output and the relationship to stroke volume and
heart rate.
CO = volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle (or right ventricle) into the
aorta (or pulmonary trunk) each minute.
Objective 5: Sketch a graph of, and explain, the relationship between cardiac
filling and cardiac output (Frank-Starling Principle).
The Frank-Starling principle states that stroke volume increases with diastolic
volume. The relationship is based on the principle that the force exerted by
the myocardial fibres during contraction is directly proportional to their length
or degree of stretch at the start of contraction (or end-diastolic volume). The
greater the end-diastolic volume, the more forceful the next contraction.
The Frank-Starling principle equalises the output of the right and left ventricle
and keeps the same volume of blood flowing to both the systemic and
pulmonary circulations.
NB: When preload is fixed, inotropic factors can either increase or decrease
the force of contraction (contractility).
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
Treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are infected. Practising universal
precautions involves using personal protective equipment (PPE), proper
cleaning and decontamination methods, appropriate disposal of wastes and
filing an incident report to the hospital administration. These measures will
reduce the potential for infection of staff and patients alike.
REFERENCES