Cardiopulmonary Physiology

1. On completion of this course, students should be able to:describe the historical developments in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology; 2. discuss the progressive changes in maternal blood volume, cardiac output, and peripheral resistance during pregnancy and at delivery; 3. list the functions in utero of the fetal ductus venosus, foramen ovale, and ductus arteriosus. Explain the mechanisms causing closure of these structures at birth; 4. describe the redistribution of cardiac output during various degrees of exercise to the CNS, coronary, splanchnic, cutaneous, and skeletal muscle vascular beds during sustained exercise (distance running). Explain the relative importance of neural and local control in each vascular bed; 5. list the various causes of hypertension and discuss the underlying mechanisms; 6. discuss the direct cardiovascular consequences of the loss of 30% of the circulating blood volume on cardiac output, central venous pressure, and arterial pressure. Describe the compensatory mechanisms activated by these changes; 7. list the factors that determine total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, and residual volume. Describe the mechanisms responsible for the changes in those volumes that occur in patients with emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis; 8. differentiate between the two broad categories of restrictive and obstructive lung disease, including the spirometric abnormalities associated with each category; 9. discuss the physiology of jet lag; and 10. describe the mechanism of Nitrogen narcosis in deep sea diving.

Developmental milestones in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology. Cardiopulmonary function in the fetus and in old age. Cardiopulmonary responses at rest and in moderate to severe stress conditions. Pathophysiology of hypertension, obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. Principles of servomechanism as applied to cardiopulmonary physiology. Aviation, space and deep-sea physiology.