The “a” wave in the right atrium represents an increase in pressure produced by atrial contraction.

The “c” wave occurs at the beginning of ventricular systole when the ventricles begin to contract and is caused by:

-Bulging of the A-V valves during ventricular contraction

-Blood flow from the SVC and IVC into the atria at the onset of ventricular contraction

The “v” wave occurs toward the end of the ventricular contraction; it results from slow flow of blood into the atria from the veins while the A-V valves are still closed.