Circulation of heart — Study Path Agent

Chapter 1

Anatomy foundations for cardiac circulation

1

Chambers and septa (RA, RV, LA, LV) and their roles in flow

2

Heart valves (tricuspid, pulmonic, mitral, aortic) and one-way flow

3

Great vessels (vena cavae, pulmonary arteries/veins, aorta)

4

Coronary arteries and cardiac veins (overview anatomy)

5

Heart wall and coverings (endocardium, myocardium, pericardium)

Chapter 2

Blood flow pathway through the heart

6

Deoxygenated blood route: body → RA → RV → pulmonary artery

7

Oxygenated blood route: lungs → LA → LV → aorta → body

8

Pulmonary vs systemic circulation: pressures, resistance, and purpose

9

Fetal circulation basics (foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus) and postnatal changes

Chapter 3

Cardiac cycle and hemodynamics

10

Cardiac cycle phases (mechanical events)

3 subtopics

11

Isovolumetric contraction and relaxation: what changes and why valves are closed

12

Ventricular filling: rapid filling, diastasis, atrial kick

13

Ventricular ejection: opening of semilunar valves and timing of stroke volume

14

Pressure-volume (PV) loops: EDV/ESV, stroke volume, and work

15

Heart sounds (S1–S4) and how they align with valve opening/closing

16

Hemodynamic principles: pressure gradients, flow, resistance, compliance

17

Key measures: cardiac output, ejection fraction, stroke volume, MAP

Chapter 4

Electrical conduction and electromechanical coupling

18

Conduction system anatomy (SA node → AV node → His-Purkinje)

19

ECG basics: linking P-QRS-T to atrial/ventricular events

20

Excitation-contraction coupling: calcium handling and force generation (high-level)

21

How rhythm and rate change cardiac output (tachycardia, bradycardia, irregularity)

Chapter 5

Coronary circulation and myocardial oxygen balance

22

Coronary perfusion predominates in diastole (especially for the left ventricle)

23

Coronary artery territories (RCA, LAD, LCx) and clinical localization

24

Coronary venous drainage and the coronary sinus

25

Myocardial oxygen supply-demand: HR, wall stress, contractility, perfusion pressure

26

Ischemia basics: angina vs myocardial infarction (conceptual overview)

Chapter 6

Regulation of cardiac output

↗ Hemodynamic principles: pressure gradients, flow, resistance, compliance (see Chapter 3)

27

Frank-Starling mechanism and preload (venous return) effects

28

Afterload: arterial pressure, vascular resistance, and effects on stroke volume

29

Contractility (inotropy) and common influences (catecholamines, drugs, ischemia)

30

Autonomic control of heart rate and contractility (sympathetic vs parasympathetic)

31

Reflex control: baroreceptor reflex and Bainbridge reflex (high-level)

32

Exercise/stress response: how CO rises (HR vs SV contributions)

Chapter 7

Clinical correlations (how circulation fails or changes)

33

Valve disease patterns: stenosis vs regurgitation and resulting murmurs

34

Congenital shunts: left-to-right vs right-to-left and effects on oxygenation

35

Heart failure basics: reduced forward flow, congestion, and compensations

36

Arrhythmias and conduction blocks (overview) and why they affect perfusion

37

Shock overview (cardiogenic vs hypovolemic vs distributive) and tissue perfusion

38

Common tests that assess circulation: ECG, echocardiography, catheterization (concepts)

↗ How rhythm and rate change cardiac output (tachycardia, bradycardia, irregularity) (see Chapter 4)