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Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction pp 3–30Cite as

Physiology of Coronary Microcirculation

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Abstract

In this first chapter of the book, we discuss the functional anatomy and provide an in-depth description of the physiology of coronary microcirculation. The various intrinsic (i.e., vascular) and extrinsic (extravascular) physiologic mechanisms involved in the fine regulation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) are described. We then discuss the general principles responsible for the adaptation of MBF to various physiological and pathological conditions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Shear stress of blood flow (τ) is calculated as: τ = µ(θu/θy), where µ is blood viscosity, u blood flow velocity and y the distance from the vessel wall, with θu/θy representing the local shear velocity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Filippo Crea & Gaetano A. Lanza

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, “Vita e Salute” University and Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy

    Paolo G. Camici

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  1. Filippo Crea
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Correspondence to Filippo Crea .

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Crea, F., Lanza, G.A., Camici, P.G. (2014). Physiology of Coronary Microcirculation. In: Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5367-0_1

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