Changes

== Local Regulators of Blood Flow ==

== Local Regulators of Blood Flow ==

Individual vascular beds have the ability to regulate blood flow according to the demands of the organ being supplied. Alterations in vasculature at this level probably contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure, but are more difficult to establish because levels of regulators are regionally variable and cannot therefore be assessed systemically.

Individual vascular beds have the ability to regulate blood flow according to the demands of the organ being supplied. Alterations in vasculature at this level probably contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure, but are more difficult to establish because levels of regulators are regionally variable and cannot therefore be assessed systemically. These changes are induced by various vasoregulatory substances:

 

*Endothelin: A polypeptide factor involved in local regulation of blood flow. Manufactured in the vascular endothelium and active locally.

''Endothelin'':

*Prostaglandin/Prostacyclin: Locally produced vasodilatory substances.

 

*Nitric Oxide (EDRF - endothelin derived relaxation factor): A locally produced vasodilator. Myocardial dysfunction is associated with dysfunction of this system.

A polypeptide factor involved in local regulation of blood flow. Manufactured in the vascular endothelium and active locally.

 

''Prostaglandin/Prostacyclin'':

 

Locally produced vasodilatory substances.

 

''Nitric Oxide'' (EDRF - endothelin derived relaxation factor):

 

A locally produced vasodilator. Myocardial dysfunction is associated with dysfunction of this system.

== Methods of Blood Pressure Measurement ==

== Methods of Blood Pressure Measurement ==