Basic Principles of Critical Care

1. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM ANATOMY
& PHYSIOLOGY
Gradian Health Systems
Basic Principles of Critical Care
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

2. Disclaimer
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology
Disclaimer: Gradian Health Systems cannot provide formal recommendations or indications
regarding medical care and clinical service delivery. The tables, checklists, and other clinical
documents referenced in this training have not been validated in all settings. These documents are
intended to serve as examples only. We recognize that all clinical training content and activities
must be customized to meet the needs of each facility and its clinical staff, factoring in available
resources, practitioner skill level, and other environmental considerations.
For any questions regarding the contents or applications of this training,
please contact Gradian Health Systems:
40 W 25th St, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010 USA
+1 212-537-0340
training@gradianhealth.org

3. Module 3
Gradian Health Systems
Basics Principles of Critical Care
Cardiovascular System

4. Module 3: Cardiovascular System
MODULE OVERVIEW
Lesson 1 I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 2 I Hemodynamic Monitoring
Lesson 3 I Shock
Lesson 4 I Fluid Replacement
Lesson 5 I Vasoactive Medications
Lesson 6 I Basic ECG Interpretation
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

5. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemLesson 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Lesson Objectives
• Describe relevant anatomy of the cardiovascular system
• Define terms related to cardiovascular physiology
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

6. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemLesson 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Key Concepts
• Anatomy of the heart
• Systemic circulation
• Electrical activity
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

7. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Cardiovascular Systems
• Consists of the blood vessels and the heart
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

8. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy of the Heart
• Made of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

9. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy of the Heart
• Deoxygenated blood comes from the body
via the inferior and superior vena cavae
• It is pumped through the right side of the
heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery
• Oxygenated blood comes from the lung via
the pulmonary veins into the left side of the
heart
• From there it is pumped to the body for
systemic circulation
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

10. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy of the Heart
• Heart located in the mediastinum in the
thoracic cavity, covered by the pericardium
• Apex of the heart is located on the left side
of the chest and can usually be felt
between the 4th and 5th intercostal space
• Valves within the heart ensure the blood
within the heart flows in one direction
• Left side has the tricuspid and pulmonary
valves
• Right side has the mitral and aortic valves.
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

11. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy of the Heart
• Closing of the valves after the blood has
passed produces the heart sounds
• Coronary arteries, which arise from the
aorta, supply blood to the heart muscle
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

12. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Systemic Circulation
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology
OpenStax College - Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013. CC BY 3.0
Systemic circulation is divided
into pulmonary and systemic
circulation

13. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Systemic Circulation
• Arteries carry blood that contains high levels of oxygen to the tissues where
the oxygen is extracted by the tissues
• Blood returning to the heart via the veins has low oxygen, except for the
pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs and the
pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart
• Arteries are thick-walled and have a narrow lumen
• Veins are thin-walled and have a wide lumen
• Arterioles are smaller arteries which drain blood into the capillaries found in
the tissues
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

14. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemCardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology
Electrical Activity
• Normal sinus rhythm of the heart is
initiated in the sinoatrial (SA) node, which
is also known as the pacemaker
• Impulse from the SA node travels through
the internodal fibers to the atrioventricular
node, the bundle branches, Purkinje fibers,
and finally to the ventricular muscles
• End result of this electrical activity is
contraction resulting in cardiac output
• The heart’s electrical activity can be
recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology
Image Source: Madhero88 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)