Kinetocardiographic alterations in patients with congestive heart failure at rest and after exercise The effect of digitalis

Abstract

1. 1. Twenty-eight studies were done on 22 patients with cardiac disease who varied from asymptomatic (Class I) to definitely decompensated (Class II or greater). The results were compared with those in 15 normal individuals. 2. 2. Class-I patients had normal resting and postexertional relative atrial movements. Forty-six per cent of Class-II and 83 per cent of Class-III patients had abnormal atrial movements at rest; after exercise, all showed values in excess of those established for normal. An explanation is postulated for this finding. 3. 3. Four patients were given varying amounts of digitalis, after which studies were made during the resting and postexertional state. All showed a reduction of the exaggerated atrial movements; in 1, a marked change occurred; in 2, a moderate change; and in 1, only a slight decrease was noted. In each, however, a tendency toward an increased tolerance to exercise was noted. 4. 4. Changes in precordial movements as determined by this method are in remarkable agreement with those determined by the more complex procedure of cardiac catheterization with measurement of wedge and other pressures.