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(Circulation. 1953;8:585.)
© 1953 American Heart Association, Inc.

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Torsion Ballistocardiography: With Special Reference to Patterns in Surgically Amenable Cardiovascular Diseases

KURT R. REISSMANN M.D.¹ E. GREY DIMOND M.D.¹

¹ From the Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.

The recoil forces generated in the circulatory system were converted into a momentum (torque) by using a table supported by a single steel bar in its center. With such a torsion ballistocardiograph, information can be obtained on the site of origin of the forces and on their direction, because the amplitude of the table is proportional to the product force times lever arm (distance from the center of rotation), and the latter can be varied by placing the subject in various positions relative to the center of rotation. The limitations of ballistocardiography in general arise mainly from the complexity of the system of three oscillators (heart, body, table) in which the elastic and damping properties of the body are presently unknown. These limitations are discussed.