The Cardiac Cycle
The Cardiac Cycle
The Cardiac Cycle
Ventricular Filling
ATRIAL SYSTOLE
An impulse arising from the SA node results in depolarization and and contraction of the atria (the right atrium contracts slightly before the before left atrium). The P wave is due to this atrial depolarization. The PR segment is electrically quiet as the depolarization proceeds proceeds to the AV node. This brief pause before contraction allows the ventricles to fill fill completely with blood.
A fourth heart sound (S4) is abnormal and is associated with the end of atrial emptying after atrial contraction. It occurs with hypertrophic congestive heart failure, massive pulmonary embolism, tricuspid incompetence, or cor pulmonale. pulmonale.
ISOVOLUMETRIC CONTRACTION
The electrical impulse propagates from the AV node through the His His bundle and Purkinje system to allow the ventricles to contract from from the apex of the heart towards the base. The QRS complex is due to ventricular depolarization, and it marks marks the beginning of ventricular systole. It is so large that it masks the masks underlying atrial repolarization signal. the ventricles to fill completely with blood.
RAPID EJECTION
The first heart sound (S1, "lub") is due to the closing AV valves and "lub") associated blood turbulence.
No Deflections
None
REDUCED EJECTION
The T wave is due to ventricular repolarization. The end of the repolarization. T wave marks the end of ventricular systole electrically.
ISOVOLUMETRIC RELAXATION
None
No Deflections
The second heart sound (S2, "dup") occurs when the semilunar (aortic and pulmonary) valves close. S2 is normally split because the aortic valve closes slightly earlier than the pulmonary valve.
Once the AV valves open, blood that has accumulated in the atria flows rapidly into the ventricles.
No Deflections
(Diastasis) Diastasis)
No Deflections
None
Summary