Basic cardiovascular physiology

Abstract

A thorough understanding of cardiovascular physiology is the cornerstone to providing excellent cardiothoracic anesthesia. Fundamentally, the primary purpose of the cardiovascular system is to provide oxygen and metabolites to the body while removing carbon dioxide and other physiologic waste. The principal components of the cardiovascular system are the heart, blood, blood vessels, and lymphatic system. This chapter consists of brief notes on cardiac muscle, electrical activity, excitation contraction coupling, cardiac cycle, cardiac output, and mechanisms of blood pressure control.