The anatomy of the heart is quite complex yet very interesting. The heart is a muscle about the size of a person’s fist. Even as kids we studied about the basic functionality and physiology of the heart and how it has four chambers and four valves. As we go deeper, we learn about the blood flow and velocity of blood and what causes changes in them. During a cardiac cycle, a person may experience changes in the blood flow and pressure which may be transferred to the upper vessels as well.
The cardiac cycle, although complex, may be understood simply by understanding the systole and diastole of the Heart. Let’s look at these functions thoroughly to understand the cardiac function.
Step by Step Guide to Understanding the Atrial Systolic and Atrial Diastolic Function
The cardiac cycle is a continuous process. A systole is basically a contraction of the cardiac chambers. Diastole is expansion . It happens alternatively and rhythmically alternating between Atrial and ventricular chambers of the Heart. At present Ventricular systole is considered to be the only functioning chambers and atrium is not assigned any mechanical function. Atria according to the present understanding has three phases. In the first phase when ventricle contract during systole it act as a receptacle to store the blood and it is Atrial diastole. In second phase when ventricle dilate during diastole it acts like a conduit ,through which blood flows into the ventricles. . In the third phase at the last part of the atrial systole it squeezes the last portion of blood and it is called as Atrial kick , In essence there is no active function to assigned the Atria during diastole or systole , Basically considered non function chambers of the Heart .
Information on the Latest Discovery about the Atrial Diastolic Function
The atrial diastolic function is complex and needs a more thorough study as it has many components that are difficult to study individually but at the same time are essential to develop a keen understanding of it. Dr. Dinker Belle Rai who is a leading vascular surgeon and has intricate knowledge of the venous system, recently made a ground breaking discovery reading the atrial diastolic function. Unlike the prior assumptions, Dr. Belle Rai found out that it is indeed the atrial diastole function that is majorly responsible for creating a negative pressure that brings the blood back to the heart.
Previously, even though medical professionals thought expansion of the muscle also known as the diastole is passive and resting phase and assigned it no function . Dr. Belle Rai confirmed that it is in fact the key force. Starling’s Law of muscle contraction that states that muscle only contract and recoiling back is the passive resting phase . Dr Rai has proved with canine experimental model that atrial muscle contracts in systole and actively dilates during diastole and both are active phenomenon’s .
The discovery of this atrial diastolic function has been made almost 500 years after William Harvey who discovered the Ventricular systolic function ..
Learn more about this new discovery and the physiology of heart and circulation in Dr. Dinker Belle Rai’s new book called, “Mechanical Function of the Atrial Diastole: A New Discovery”. Get your copy now.