Cardiovascular Disorder

• Pericardium - protective

  covering; parietal and visceral

  (epicardium) layers create a

  protective sac containing a

  small amount of lubricating

  fluid that reduces friction.
• Myocardium - cardiac muscle

  cells; rhythmic contraction

  (systole) and relaxation

  (diastole) pumps blood through

  systemic and pulmonary

  circulations.
• Endocardium - endothelial inner

  lining of inner chambers and

  valves.
• Ductus venosus: constricts within 3-7 days after birth and becomes ligamentum venosum
• Foramen ovale: closes when pressure on left atrium exceeds that of the right atrium; closes within the

  first weeks after birth
• Placenta - is the source of O2 for the fetus
• Right atrium: chamber with the highest O2 concentration
• Fetal circulation: designed to ensure high O2 blood supply to the brain and myocardium
• Fetal lungs: receives less than 10% of the blood volume; no gas exchange
• Ventricular Septal Defect

  • w/ opening in septum of 2 ventricles.
  • results to right ventricular hypertrophy & increase pressure to pulmonary artery (pulmonary hypertension)
• Atrial Septal Defect

  • abnormal communication between 2 atria
  • results to right ventricular hypertrophy and increase pressure to pulmonary artery