This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure and functions of the heart. It is designed to assist medical students preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria receive blood while the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. Four valves ensure unidirectional blood flow: the tricuspid and mitral valves separate the atria from the ventricles, while the pulmonary and aortic valves separate the ventricles from the respective arteries.
The heart is connected to the rest of the body through a network of blood vessels. The superior and inferior vena cava bring deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium, while the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
The heart has its own blood supply through the coronary arteries. The left coronary artery branches into the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex arteries, while the right coronary artery supplies the right atrium and ventricle. Coronary veins drain deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle.
The cardiac cycle consists of systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) phases. Systole propels blood out of the heart, while diastole allows the chambers to fill with blood. The atria contract during atrial systole, followed by ventricular contraction during ventricular systole.
The heart's electrical conduction system coordinates its rhythmic contractions. The sinoatrial (SA) node initiates the electrical impulse, followed by the atrioventricular (AV) node. The impulse then travels through the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers, causing sequential contraction of the atria and ventricles.
Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (beats per minute) by the stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat). Cardiac output is an essential measure of heart function.
The first heart sound (S1) occurs during ventricular systole and is caused by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves. The second heart sound (S2) occurs during ventricular diastole and is caused by the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves.
Additional heart sounds, such as S3 and S4, can provide valuable diagnostic information. S3 occurs during rapid ventricular filling and may indicate heart failure. S4 occurs just before S1 and is associated with stiff ventricles, often seen in conditions like hypertension or coronary artery disease.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart. It provides information about the heart's structure, function, and blood flow. It is a non-invasive and commonly used imaging technique.
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to evaluate heart rhythm, detect abnormalities, and diagnose conditions like arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and conduction system disorders.
Cardiac MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the heart. It provides information about the heart's structure, function, blood flow, and tissue characterization. Cardiac MRI is particularly useful in assessing myocardial viability and detecting structural abnormalities.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, usually due to atherosclerosis. It can lead to angina, myocardial infarction, and heart
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