Standardization of the Ballistocardiogram by Simulation of the Heart's Function at Necropsy; With a Clinical Method for the Estimation of Cardiac Strength and Normal Standards for It

Abstract

The interpretation of ballistocardiograms has been attacked by a method entirely new; a physiologic experiment performed at necropsy. While the subject lies on the ballistocardiograph a normal diastolic pressure is created and the heart's function is simulated by injecting fluid into the aorta and pulmonary artery, the amount injected at each instant being recorded. The resulting ballistocardiograms can be directly compared with many aspects of cardiac function. The amplitude of the ballistocardiogram measures the maximum force exerted by the heart in moving the blood and preliminary normal standards for this estimate of cardiac strength have been set up.