atrial kick

a·tri·al kick

the priming force contributed by atrial contraction immediately before ventricular systole that acts to increase the efficiency of ventricular ejection due to acutely increased preload.

atrial kick

Atrial systole Cardiology The contraction of the atrium, which accounts for 5-30% of cardiac output; it appears as an abrupt notch in the pressure curve in the ventricular outflow tract, and is typical of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy–formerly idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

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So, the passive filling and atrial kick occur simultaneously, resulting in shortened LV filling time and decreased preloading of LV.

Optimal programming in cardiac resynchronization therapy

Some children tolerate atrial fibrillation for months at a time with no hemodynamic changes, while others may require the atrial kick to sustain their cardiac output.

ECG Interpretation: What Is Different in Children?

Studies in patients without MI have demonstrated that loss of atrial kick decreases left ventricular output by 15 to 20 percent.

Management of arrhythmias during transportation in patients with acute myocardial infarction