13. The ‘a’ wave in the jugular venous pulse:

[Editor]

13. The ‘a’ wave in the jugular venous pulse:
a. occurs immediately after ventricular systole
b. is due to artrial contraction
c. is absent in atrial fibrillation
d. is caused by atrial filling during ventricular systole
e. increases in amplitude on inspiration

mark wrote:

13. The ‘a’ wave in the jugular venous pulse:
a. occurs immediately after ventricular systole
b. is due to artrial contraction
c. is absent in atrial fibrillation
d. is caused by atrial filling during ventricular systole
e. increases in amplitude on inspiration

Answers:
a. False
b. True
c. True
d. False
e. False

The a wave in JVP is caused by atrial contraction during ventricular diastole. It contributes to about 20-25%of ventricular filling. It is absent in AF for obvious reasons as atria doesnt contract effectively in AF to contribute to the filling. It decreases in amplitude in inspiration due to the pooling of blood into the pulmonary circulation.

[jijindr]

I understand that the 'a' wave increases during inspiration.