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.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

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
McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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The loss of the atrial kick is particularly detrimental in patients with diastolic dysfunction, such as left ventricular hypertrophy of any cause.
Management of atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients
This is often referred to as "atrial kick," which is lost in afib, when the atria simply quiver and do not help the blood pump forward.
Ask the doctors
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?

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