Systolic Time Intervals is a medical term used to study different time intervals in the cardiac cycle. The phonetic transcription of this term is /sɪˈstɑːlɪk taɪm ˈɪntəvəlz/. The first syllable "syst" pronounced as /sɪst/ refers to systole, which is the contraction phase of the heart. The second part "olic" comes from the Greek word "holos," meaning whole. The term "time intervals" refers to the duration between the different events in the cardiac cycle. It is essential to spell medical terms correctly to avoid misdiagnosis or misinterpretation of the information.
Systolic time intervals refer to a set of time-based measurements that are used to evaluate cardiac function and the timing of various events within the cardiac cycle. These intervals are typically determined by analyzing the changes in pressure and electrical activity of the heart during systole, which is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and ejects blood into the arteries.
The most commonly assessed systolic time intervals include pre-ejection period (PEP), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and preejection period/left ventricular ejection time ratio (PEP/LVET). PEP is the time between the onset of electrical activity in the heart (QRS complex on an electrocardiogram) and the opening of the aortic valve. LVET is the duration of time that blood is actively being ejected from the left ventricle into the aorta. PEP/LVET ratio represents the relationship between the time it takes for the heart to generate enough force for ejection (PEP) and the actual time spent ejecting blood (LVET).
By analyzing systolic time intervals, healthcare professionals can gain insights into the contractility and relaxation dynamics of the heart, as well as the effectiveness of blood ejection. Abnormalities in systolic time intervals can indicate various cardiac conditions such as valve dysfunction, myocardial ischemia, heart failure, or autonomic dysfunction.
Systolic time intervals are commonly measured using non-invasive techniques like electrocardiography (ECG), phonocardiography, or arterial pulse waveforms. These measurements are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring cardiac diseases, determining the need for interventions, and assessing treatment efficacy.