CARDIAC CYCLE

 The cardiac events that occur from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginnng of the
next are called the Cardiac Cycle.
 Cycle is initiated by spontaneous generation of an action potential in the sinus node.
 The action potential travels from SA node to both atria and then through the A-V bundle
into the ventricles.
 There is a delay of more than 0.1 second during passage of the cardiac impulse from the
atria into the ventricles.
 The cardiac cycle consists of a period of relaxation called Diastole, during which the
heart fills with blood.
 A period of contraction called Systole.
 When the heart beats at a normal rate of 72/minute, duration of each cardiac cycle is
about 0.8 second.
 1. Atrial systole = 0.11 (0.1) sec
2. Atrial diastole = 0.69 (0.7) sec.
 1. Ventricular systole = 0.27 (0.3) sec
2. Ventricular diastole = 0.53 (0.5) sec
 Ventricular Systole
1. Isometric contraction
2. Ejection period
 Ventricular Diastole
1. Protodiastole
2. Isometric relaxation
3. Rapid filling
4. Slow filling
5. Last rapid filling
Effect of Heart Rate on cardiac Cycle:

 heart rate increases, the duration of each cardiac cycle decreases including the contraction
and relaxation phases.
 The duration of the action potential and the period of contraction (systole) also decrease.
 the relaxation phase (diastole) decrease greatly.
 As a result, the heart beating at a very fast rate does not remain relaxed long enough to
allow complete filling of the cardiac chambers before the next contraction.
Relationship of the Electrocardiogram
to the Cardiac Cycle

 P, Q, R, S, and T waves are electrical voltages generated by the heart and recorded by the
electrocardiograph from the surface of the body.
 The P wave is caused by spread of depolarization through the atria, and this is followed
by atrial contraction.
 The QRS waves appear as a result of electrical depolarization of the ventricles, which
initiates contraction of the ventricles.
 T waves represents the stage of repolarization of the ventricles when the ventricular
muscle fibers begin to relax.