Monash Cardiovascular

Experiment
Luis Anthony Jayanata
1906421814
PBL E
Introduction
Cardiovascular variables include: Cardiac output (CO), Mean arterial pressure (MAP) &
Heart rate (HR)

Peripheral circulation is regulated to allow cardiac output to be distributed to the various organs
and tissues, each according to its metabolic or functional needs by:

● Maintaining arterial blood pressure (BP) within a narrow range

● By regulating regional blood flow at the local level – autoregulation, the intrinsic ability
of an organ to maintain a constant blood flow in the face of changes in perfusion
pressure
● Regulation by the CNS that adjusts CV function in a manner that allows adaptation to
altered conditions (e.g. posture, exercise, diving, etc.)

Rapid changes in arterial pressure, in the amount and distribution of CO, and in the distribution
of blood flow that are essential to maintain vital heart and brain blood flow in the face of
physiological and environmental challenges.

Neural cardiovascular reflexes act in concert in a manner that regulates the circulation at both
local (e.g. blood flow) and systemic (e.g. arterial pressure) levels.
Exercise 1:
Tilt Test
Theory & Experiment aim
During acute blood loss, standing or tilting → Reduction in central
blood volume → Reduction of central venous pressure and venous
return

In this simulation you will explore the resultant effects of gravity on the
circulation during 60° and 80° postural tilt. To do this you will examine the
effect tilt has on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output,
stroke volume and total peripheral resistance
Procedure
1. Choose the desired inclination and press the
"Start recording" button. The first five
minutes of the recording will correspond to
baseline, or horizontal (0°) tilt. From
minutes 5 to 10, the table will be tilted to
the inclination you chose. The last 5
minutes will show the recovery.
2. Fill the table with the mean values for
baseline and each tilt. Hover the mouse on
the graph for a horizontal line to appear
with the corresponding y-value for that
mouse position, which will help you
estimate the mean for each period.
Results
Result interpretation & Conclusion
Based on the results of Heart Rate, as one is tilted more upright from supine position:

- Heart rate increases

- Cardiac output decreases
- MAP increases
- Stroke Volume decreases
- Total Peripheral Resistance increases
Result interpretation & Conclusion
When the person is tilted upright, gravity causes an increase in arterial pressure
(MAP) after the initial response (5 - 10 seconds). This activates baroreceptors in
the carotid artery & aortic arch to increase activity of the Nucleus Tractus
Solitarius (NTS) to release Excitatory amino acids (EAA). These EAA work to
decrease activity of the Caudal Ventrolateral Medulla (CVLM) & Nucleus
Ambiguus (NA).

a.) Decreased NA activity works on the efferent parasympathetic system by

decrease Acetylcholine neurotransmitter action, thus promoting increased Heart rate
& stroke volume

b.) The NTS as well as the CVLM also release GABA to increase activity of the
Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM). The RVLM uses Noradrenaline to
stimulate the efferent sympathetic activity, thus promoting increased Heart rate &
stroke volume. NA also works to increase the Total peripheral resistance →
Increased arterial pressure

Increased HR & SV → Increased Cardiac Output → Increased arterial

pressure
Exercise 2:
Cold Pressure &
Cardiovascular factors
Theory & Experiment aim
Temperature and other environmental factors, including painful stimuli, are known
to affect heart rate and arterial blood pressure.

Placing your foot in an ice bath triggers the sympathetic nervous system and
changes in the cardiovascular system including arteriolar constriction and
increased cardiac contractility. This test has been used clinically to assess left
ventricular function and previously suggested as an index for screening for
hypertension.

In this simulation, you will explore the effects of placing your foot in an ice bath.
To do this you will examine the effect this has on mean arterial pressure, heart
rate, cardiac output, stroke volume and total peripheral resistance.
Procedure
1. Press the "Start recording" button to start the
experiment. The first five minutes of the
recording will correspond to baseline
measurement.
2. From minutes 5 to 10, the feet of the subject
are in the ice water bucket. The last 5 minutes
will show the recovery.
3. Fill the table with the mean values for baseline
and cold pressor test. Hover the mouse on the
graph for a horizontal line to appear with the
corresponding y-value for that mouse position,
which will help you estimate the mean for each
period.
Results
Result interpretation & Conclusion
Results show that when the individual is placed in a cold environment, all
cardiovascular factors such as HR, Arterial Pressure, Cardiac output, Stroke
Volume & Total Peripheral resistance increase.

The pathway begins by stimulation of peripheral nociceptors that act to increase

hypothalamic activity. Some unknown pathways from here work to decrease
activity of the Nucleus ambiguous (NA) & the Rostral ventrolateral medulla
(RVLM).

NA activity decreases and works little on the parasympathetic system via

acetylcholine neurotransmitters, while increased RVLM activity works to
stimulate the efferent sympathetic system via noradrenaline neurotransmitter.
Noradrenaline works to increase HR & SV and thus increases cardiac output.
Noradrenaline also works to increase total peripheral resistance, and these two
processes result in increased arterial pressure.
Exercise 3:
Mental stress on Cardiovascular
measures
Theory & Experiment aim
Psychological stress affects physiological processes throughout the body, in part
via the autonomic nervous system, including the cardiovascular system.

In this simulation, you will explore the effects of mental stress on the
cardiovascular system. To do this you will examine the effects of answering
difficult mathematical problems on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac
output, stroke volume and total peripheral resistance.
Procedure
1. Press the "Start recording" button to start the experiment.
The first five minutes of the recording will correspond to
baseline measurement. From minutes 5 to 10, the subject
is performing mental calculations. The last 5 minutes will
show the recovery.
2. Fill the table with the mean values for baseline and mental
stress. Hover the mouse on the graph for a horizontal line
to appear with the corresponding y-value for that mouse
position, which will help you estimate the mean for each
period.

Subject is given exercises on mental arithmetics as the condition

of mental stress
Results
Result interpretation & Conclusion
Results show that when the individual is placed in a situation of mental stress,
cardiovascular factors such as HR, Arterial Pressure & Cardiac output increase,
but Stroke Volume & Total Peripheral resistance remain approximately the same.

The pathway begins by cerebral cortex stimulation of the hypothalamus, and thus
some unknown mechanisms inhibit the activity of the nucleus ambiguus (NA) &
stimulate the Rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Decrease in NA activity
results in decreased parasympathetic activity, while RVLM stimulation increases
sympathetic activity via noradrenaline neurotransmitters and thus result in
increased heart rate, stroke volume & total peripheral resistance.

Increased heart rate & stroke volume increases cardiac output, and together with
increased total peripheral resistance, this ultimately leads to increased arterial
pressure.