THERMOREGULATION IN THE HEART AND THE BIOPHYSICS OF CORONARY ARTERIAL FLOW

Abstract

AbstractThe right and left coronary arteries are the principal sources of supply of oxygenated blood to the heart. Arising from the proximal rim of the ascending aorta, these arteries course along and over the surface of the organ, sending out branches that penetrate axial blood flow through arteries is governed or maintained by multifarious physical laws.The heart, an electrically stimulated muscular pump, squirts and receives circulating blood through its systolic and diastolic exertions. The non-stop life-long rapid action of the organ not just expends enormous energy but also generates considerable heat. While there are a number of factors that help the heart dissipate and reduce heat, a few other biophysical factors contribute hugely to maintain a thermostatic milieu.Circulation through vessels is maintained with a high degree of efficiency through combined actions of ejection systolic pressure, elasticity of the conducting arterial channels, and the proximo-distal decrease in diameters of arteries.This brief write-up discusses some of physics regulatng fluid flow dynamics and attempts to exemplify the significant role of 'centrifugal force' as a hitherto overlooked physical force in coronary haemodynamics. The application of biophysical postulates to cardiac cycle may help in furthering our understanding of coronary blood circulation and the multi-factorial influences on its functional integrity. It is inferenced that, the finding may have a number of applications and result in a better understanding of cardiac circulatory dynamics.