García MIM, et al. - Researchers evaluated the atrial systolic function as well as the contribution of atrial contraction to left ventricular (LV) filling in septic shock patients vs healthy volunteers. During the first 48 h of ICU admission, they assessed 27 septic patients. Comparisons were performed with 27 healthy volunteers. They calculated left atrial (LA) contraction contribution to LV filling as the active emptying atrial volume/LV end-diastolic volume. In septic patients vs in the control group, a lower LV ejection fraction was detected: 51 ± 14% vs 60 ± 6%. Increased LA systolic function was observed in septic shock patients. In these patients, a great contribution of LA systolic function to support LV filling was also observed. Findings emphasized the role of preserving atrial contraction on the hemodynamic resuscitation in early septic shock.