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Cardiac Cycle - Atrial Contraction (Phase
1)
A-V Valves Open; Semilunar Valves Closed
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This is the first phase of the cardiac cycle
because it is initiated by the p wave of the electrocardiogram
(ECG), which represents electrical depolarization
of the atria. Atrial depolarization then causes contraction of the atrial musculature. As the atria contract, the
pressure within the atrial chambers increases, which forces more blood flow across the open atrioventricular (AV) valves,
leading to a rapid flow of blood into the ventricles.
Blood does not flow back into the vena cava because of inertial effects of
the venous return and because the wave of contraction through the atria
moves toward the AV valve thereby having a "milking effect."
However, atrial contraction does produce a small increase in venous pressure that can be
noted as the "a-wave" of the left atrial pressure (LAP). Just following the
peak of the a wave is the x-descent.
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Atrial contraction normally accounts for about 10% of left ventricular filling
when a person is at rest because most of ventricular filling occurs prior to
atrial contraction as blood passively flows from the pulmonary veins, into
the left atrium, then into the left ventricle through the open mitral valve.
At high heart rates, however, the atrial contraction may account for up to 40% of ventricular filling. This is sometimes referred to as the "atrial kick." The
atrial contribution to
ventricular filling varies inversely with duration of ventricular diastole and
directly with atrial contractility.
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After atrial contraction is complete, the atrial pressure begins to fall causing a
pressure gradient reversal across the AV valves. This causes the valves to float
upward (pre-position) before closure. At this time, the ventricular volumes are
maximal, which is termed the end-diastolic volume (EDV). The left ventricular
EDV (LVEDV), which is typically about 120 ml, represents
the ventricular preload and is associated with
end-diastolic pressures of 8-12 mmHg and 3-6 mmHg in the left and right ventricles,
respectively.
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A heart sound is sometimes noted during atrial contraction (fourth
heart sound,
S4). This sound is caused by vibration of the ventricular wall during
atrial contraction. Generally, it is noted when the ventricle
compliance is reduced ("stiff" ventricle) as occurs in ventricular
hypertrophy and in many older
individuals.
Jump to other phases:
Phase 2 - Isovolumetric Contraction
Phase 3 - Rapid Ejection
Phase 4 - Reduced Ejection
Phase 5 - Isovolumetric Relaxation
Phase 6 - Rapid Filling
Phase 7 - Reduced Filling
RK Revised
04/13/07
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Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts
