atrial /atri·al/ (a´tre-al) pertaining to an atrium.
Atrial
atrial [a´tre-al]
a·tri·al (  tr - l)adj. Of or relating to an atrium. |
Atrial
Having to do with the upper chambers of the heart.
Mentioned in: Ventricular Tachycardia
atrial [a´tre-al]
pertaining to an atrium.
atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) a hormone produced in the cardiac atrium; it inhibits renin secretion and thus the production of angiotensin, and stimulates aldosterone release. Its effect is increased excretion of water and sodium and a lowering of blood pressure, which reduces the workload of the heart.
atrial septal defect a congenital heart defect in which the ostium primum or ostium secundum, openings in the septum primum of the embryonic heart, fail to close completely after birth. When an opening remains between the atria, some of the oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium passes into the right atrium and travels back to the lungs without being first transported through the body. 
Atrial septal defect. The shunt is from left atrium to right atrium. From Betz et al., 1994.
atrial
pertaining to an atrium.
atrial contraction
contraction of the atrial muscle; plays a part in ventricular filling and opening and closing of the A-V valves.
atrial filling
return of blood via the venae cavae and the pulmonary veins to the atria. Too slow a return means inadequate cardiac output, too slow emptying means an increase in central venous pressure and possibly the development of congestive heart failure. The rate varies normally with the cardiac cycle, being fastest during atrial diastole and slowest during atrial systole.
atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)
a peptide hormone found in cardiocytes of the right and left atria and released in response to increases in plasma volume. Plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and volume, and in the excretion of water, sodium and potassium. Closely related or possibly identical substances include auriculin, atriopeptin, cardionatrin.
atrial rupture
most often is a complication of endocardiosis and valvular insufficiency in dogs. The resulting acute pericardial hemorrhage may cause death from cardiac tamponade.
atrial septal defect
a congenital heart defect in which there is persistent patency of the atrial septum, owing to failure of closure of the ostium primum or ostium secundum.
atrial standstill
complete lack of atrial contraction; ventricular function remains normal. Caused by hyperkalemia, extreme sinus bradycardia, digitalis toxicity and a congenital muscle disorder of dogs and cats.
atrial systole
see atrial contraction (above).
atrial
adjective Relating to an atrium, see there, usually understood to be the atrium of the heart
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