{"id":4777,"date":"2025-08-25T00:06:54","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T04:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=4777"},"modified":"2025-12-13T17:53:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T22:53:48","slug":"cardiac-perfusion-and-coronary-circulation","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/cardiac-perfusion-and-coronary-circulation\/","title":{"raw":"7p7 Cardiac Perfusion and Coronary Circulation","rendered":"7p7 Cardiac Perfusion and Coronary Circulation"},"content":{"raw":"

What is Cardiac Perfusion?\u00a0 and Coronary Circulation?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Overview:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • The heart is a working muscle that requires its own constant blood supply (coronary arteries, capillaries, and veins<\/strong>) to meet its oxygen and nutrient needs.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • The blood vessels (coronary arteries) responsible for this perfusion<\/strong> (flow of blood) originate from the base of the aorta<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Coronary Arteries:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Right coronary artery (RCA):<\/strong>\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Mainly supplies the\u00a0right side<\/strong>\u00a0of the heart.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Feeds the\u00a0SA node<\/strong>\u00a0in over 50% of the population.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Left coronary artery (LCA):<\/strong>\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • Supplies the\u00a0left side<\/strong>, including the\u00a0left ventricle<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Critical for cardiac output, as the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

          Blood Flow Dynamics:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • Blood flow is greatest during diastole (relaxation phase):<\/strong>\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Heart's chambers are relaxed, vessels are less compressed.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • During systole (contraction), coronary vessels narrow, reducing blood flow.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

              Collateral Circulation (Anastomosis):<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • Connections between branches of coronary arteries provide\u00a0backup blood supply<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Typical near the\u00a0apex<\/strong>\u00a0of the heart, but limited elsewhere.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Function:<\/strong>\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                • Develop in response to partial occlusion (atherosclerosis<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Cells release cytokines signaling neighboring arteries to grow collateral vessels, maintaining tissue viability.<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Collateral circulation is a natural protective mechanism but may be insufficient if occlusion is extensive.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Impact of Coronary Blockages:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  • Right coronary artery blockage:<\/strong>\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    • Can impair\u00a0SA node<\/strong>\u00a0function (if that artery supplies it).<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Can affect the\u00a0AV node<\/strong>, disrupting conduction and causing ECG changes.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • May result in arrhythmias or conduction disturbances.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Left coronary artery blockage:<\/strong>\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      • Endangers the\u00a0left ventricle<\/strong>\u2014the main pump for systemic circulation.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Damage<\/strong>\u00a0here can cause\u00a0left-sided heart failure<\/strong>, reducing cardiac output.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Organ hypoperfusion leads to organ failure if persistent.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                        Note:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\nDamage to these arteries can be either:\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        • sudden (acute) giving rise to an infarction (obstruction of blood supply causing death of tissue) or<\/li>\r\n \t
                        • gradual (chronic ischemia), depending on the extent and progression of blockages.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                          Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\nThe heart\u2019s own blood supply from the coronary arteries is vital for its function. Blockages can impair conduction (via the SA or AV nodes) or reduce pumping ability. Collateral circulation offers some protection but is limited. The location and severity of arterial obstruction determine whether a patient experiences arrhythmias, ischemia, or heart failure.","rendered":"

                          What is Cardiac Perfusion?\u00a0 and Coronary Circulation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                          Overview:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                            \n
                          • The heart is a working muscle that requires its own constant blood supply (coronary arteries, capillaries, and veins<\/strong>) to meet its oxygen and nutrient needs.<\/li>\n
                          • The blood vessels (coronary arteries) responsible for this perfusion<\/strong> (flow of blood) originate from the base of the aorta<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Coronary Arteries:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                              \n
                            • Right coronary artery (RCA):<\/strong>\n
                                \n
                              • Mainly supplies the\u00a0right side<\/strong>\u00a0of the heart.<\/li>\n
                              • Feeds the\u00a0SA node<\/strong>\u00a0in over 50% of the population.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                              • Left coronary artery (LCA):<\/strong>\n
                                  \n
                                • Supplies the\u00a0left side<\/strong>, including the\u00a0left ventricle<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                • Critical for cardiac output, as the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Blood Flow Dynamics:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                    \n
                                  • Blood flow is greatest during diastole (relaxation phase):<\/strong>\n
                                      \n
                                    • Heart’s chambers are relaxed, vessels are less compressed.<\/li>\n
                                    • During systole (contraction), coronary vessels narrow, reducing blood flow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      Collateral Circulation (Anastomosis):<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                        \n
                                      • Connections between branches of coronary arteries provide\u00a0backup blood supply<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                      • Typical near the\u00a0apex<\/strong>\u00a0of the heart, but limited elsewhere.<\/li>\n
                                      • Function:<\/strong>\n
                                          \n
                                        • Develop in response to partial occlusion (atherosclerosis<\/strong>).<\/li>\n
                                        • Cells release cytokines signaling neighboring arteries to grow collateral vessels, maintaining tissue viability.<\/li>\n
                                        • Collateral circulation is a natural protective mechanism but may be insufficient if occlusion is extensive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          Impact of Coronary Blockages:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                            \n
                                          • Right coronary artery blockage:<\/strong>\n
                                              \n
                                            • Can impair\u00a0SA node<\/strong>\u00a0function (if that artery supplies it).<\/li>\n
                                            • Can affect the\u00a0AV node<\/strong>, disrupting conduction and causing ECG changes.<\/li>\n
                                            • May result in arrhythmias or conduction disturbances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                            • Left coronary artery blockage:<\/strong>\n
                                                \n
                                              • Endangers the\u00a0left ventricle<\/strong>\u2014the main pump for systemic circulation.<\/li>\n
                                              • Damage<\/strong>\u00a0here can cause\u00a0left-sided heart failure<\/strong>, reducing cardiac output.<\/li>\n
                                              • Organ hypoperfusion leads to organ failure if persistent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                Note:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

                                                Damage to these arteries can be either:<\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • sudden (acute) giving rise to an infarction (obstruction of blood supply causing death of tissue) or<\/li>\n
                                                • gradual (chronic ischemia), depending on the extent and progression of blockages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

                                                  The heart\u2019s own blood supply from the coronary arteries is vital for its function. Blockages can impair conduction (via the SA or AV nodes) or reduce pumping ability. Collateral circulation offers some protection but is limited. The location and severity of arterial obstruction determine whether a patient experiences arrhythmias, ischemia, or heart failure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":13,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["zoe-soon"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[60],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-4777","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","contributor-zoe-soon","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":55,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5284,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4777\/revisions\/5284"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/55"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4777\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=4777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}