Medtronic Lawsuit Attorneys, Williams Kherkher

Parts of the Heart: The Right Atrium

The human heart is divided into four chambers. There are two atria and two ventricles. The right side of the heart handles de-oxygenated blood while the left side of the heart handles the blood that has been oxygenated by a trip to the lungs. The right atrium is the first chamber of the heart into which de-oxygenated blood visits after its trip through the body.

The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cava as well as the coronary sinus. The atrium is responsible for pumping the blood into the right ventricle via the tricuspid valve.

The sinoatrial node (SAN) is located with the right atrium next to the vena cava. The SAN is a group of pacemaker cells which are responsible for creating action potential. The cardiac action potential is spread across both atria via nerves. This causes them to contract which in turn forces the blood that is currently in the atrium into the corresponding ventricle.

When a baby has not yet been born, the right atrium has a hole in it which connects it to the left atrium. This makes the two atria continuous. This is essential for fetal circulation as there is no oxygen in the lungs and so there is no point in sending blood there. Once the baby is born, the hole seals itself off. This allows blood flow to reverse and travel through the lungs. In 20% of the general population, this hole fails to close. This is cause as Patent Foramen Ovale and does not cause problems in the vast majority of people.

Contact a Medtronic Lawyer

If you have been fitted with a Medtronic defibrillator featuring SprintFidelis leads, your heart could be in danger. Contact the Medtronic Lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187 to learn more about this potentially life-threatening situation.