Direct body ballistocardiography: a 25 year survey. Landmarks in its representation of cardiac dynamics.

The direct body Bcg has been shown to reflect various expressions of the known physiological principles of cardiac dynamics. Emphasis has been placed on the identification and characteristics of the individual segment rather than on gross pattern variability for proper Bcg pattern evaluation. Its sensitivity in the detection of early myocardial infarction with particular attention to its initial HI forces has been described. The significance of the simple Master two-step test (double) in eliciting the amplification or deterioration of these forces as a measure of myocardial integrity has also been emphasized. With this proposed definitive direction, there is call for widely organized attempts to clarify its potential as an important adjuvant in the study of clinical heart disease.

PMID: 508259 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]