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Structure and Function of the Microcirculation

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Microcirculation in Cardiovascular Diseases

Part of the book series: Updates in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection ((UHCP))

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Abstract

The small arteries and the arterioles contribute substantially to the hydrodynamic resistance in the circulation. In some vascular beds, up to 80% of the pressure drop in the circulation occurs proximal to the capillaries. Also the distribution of the pressure drop between small arteries and arterioles varies between different vascular beds, but a substantial part of it is mediated by arteries with diameters larger than 50 μm. The structure of the small arteries and arterioles is of substantial importance for the resistance they produce, and the ratio between the thickness of the media wall and the lumen diameter is an important determinant of the effect on resistance of a given level of smooth muscle activation. This ratio is increased in small arteries from patients with hypertension. In both untreated and treated patients, the ratio has prognostic significance, and it appears to be an important aim of treatment to normalize the ratio. Also the tone of small arteries, determined by the activation of the smooth muscle cells, plays a key role in determining resistance. Smooth muscle cell activation is dependent on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration but also the sensitivity of the contractile machinery to Ca2+. Most small arteries and arterioles have an oscillation of tone, which is referred to as vasomotion. Vasomotion is dependent on a cellular oscillator and is a result of synchronization of the oscillatory contraction of the smooth muscle cells. One such pathway involves a Ca2+ activated, cGMP-dependent Cl− conductance. The physiological or pathophysiological consequence of vasomotion is unknown.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Christian Aalkjaer & Michael J. Mulvany

  2. Department of Biomedical Science, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen N, Denmark

    Christian Aalkjaer

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  1. Christian Aalkjaer
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  2. Michael J. Mulvany
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Correspondence to Christian Aalkjaer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Enrico Agabiti-Rosei

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Sciences School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Anthony M. Heagerty

  3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Damiano Rizzoni

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Aalkjaer, C., Mulvany, M.J. (2020). Structure and Function of the Microcirculation. In: Agabiti-Rosei, E., Heagerty, A.M., Rizzoni, D. (eds) Microcirculation in Cardiovascular Diseases. Updates in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47801-8_1

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