Re: Hemodynamics

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD SK on October 09, 1997 at 11:26:59:

In Reply to: Hemodynamics posted by cindy on October 08, 1997 at 16:04:01:







: Can you explain what the pressure in the ascending aorta and the left ventricle should be?  What is the signigificance of these readings?  How about oxygen in aorta, what should it be in the ascending aorta.  What should the mean gradrient pressure bypullback be, and what is the significance of  it.  
I am female Hbg:14.3  Ht. 5"6"  Wt 66 Kg   BSA:1.75m2   HR:  76






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Dear Cindy,
Heart is a pump which circulates blood in the entire body. The major blood vessel that carries blood from heart to different organs is called aorta. Which each heart beat, the heart initially fills with bloods and then empties it with a vigorous contraction in the aorta. There is a valve (aortic valve) between the pumping chamber of the heart (the left ventricle) and the aorta to prevent blood from falling back in the heart from the aorta.
One can measure pressures in the left ventricle and the aorta at the time of cardiac catheterization. At the time of ventricular contraction there is no pressure difference (gradient) between the left ventricular and aorta as the resistance across the aortic valve is minimal. When the aortic valves narrows there is usually a high gradient between these pressure measurements.  To measure the gradient one can put two catheters (one in aorta and one in the left ventricle) or put a catheter in left ventricle and the quickly pull it back to aorta. The later is the pull back that you are referring to. Pressure in the aorta is the blood pressure (120/80).  Oxygen saturation in the aorta is usually 99%.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
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