Integrative Approach of Venous Return And Cardiac Output in the Context of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

The main function of the cardiovascular system is to supply cells with nutrients and oxygen and to remove excretes from their metabolism. This function, along with the general constitution of the cardiovascular system, has been known since Harvey's findings in the 17th century. He demonstrated that the heart was the central organ of the cardiovascular system, and that it was responsible for propelling the blood to the arteries and veins and back to its starting point. This unidirectional blood flow was ensured by Harvey's description of valves in the venous system, which allows blood to flow toward the heart preventing itfrom going in the opposite direction.

In the 19th century, Bayliss and Starling broadly described function and control of the venous system. Afterward, in the 1950's, Guyton et al. further explored the venous system control and its relationship with right atrial pressure. Nevertheless, during the years, the venous side physiology has not been as appreciated as the arterial side; hence it being left out of the circulatory system physiology. Currently, the two basic known functions of the venous system are to return the blood from the periphery to the right atrium and to store large amounts of unneeded blood serving as a reservoir. Read more...............