Pharmacology for Nurses

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Systemic vascular resistance

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Pharmacology for Nurses

Definition

Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is the resistance offered by the systemic blood vessels to the flow of blood from the heart. It is a crucial determinant of blood pressure and cardiac workload.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. SVR is calculated using the formula: SVR = (Mean Arterial Pressure - Central Venous Pressure) / Cardiac Output.
  2. High SVR can indicate conditions like hypertension and heart failure.
  3. Low SVR may be seen in cases of septic shock or anaphylaxis.
  4. Medications such as vasodilators can decrease SVR, while vasoconstrictors can increase it.
  5. SVR plays a key role in determining afterload, which affects myocardial oxygen demand.

Review Questions

  • What does high systemic vascular resistance indicate in terms of cardiovascular health?
  • How do vasodilators and vasoconstrictors affect systemic vascular resistance?
  • Why is SVR important in understanding cardiac workload?

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