Genesis of the sphygmogram from the kinetocardiogram.

The functional uniformity of the heart and vessels is studied. The idea of the genesis of the carotid sphygmogram from the kinetocardiogram (GS-KCG) was developed on the basis of the analysis of the KCG and carotid-sphygmographic (CSG) pattern obtained in 10 young healthy adults. Two of these examinees were additionally examined under the influence of a s.c. injection of adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA). Two kinds of transducers for the displacement of the chest wall and of the carotid region were used (photoelectric and resonance receiver). They did not touch the skin and were placed in four positions on the thorax; three of them are routine auscultatory positions (ictus, ERB, aorta), one was the carotid artery pulse position. Amplitude and time intervals at rest and under the influence of catecholamines were determined and their interrelationship studied. The amplitudes are more variable than the intervals. The genesis of the waves was studied on the basis of the records in four positions. On this basis, a uniform hypothesis about the genesis of the KCG and CSG waves is derived. From this hypothesis and from the existence of a reflection wave starting at the aorta, the concept of the genesis of the sphygmogram from the kinetocardiogram was developed: the deformation starts at the aorta, is directed to the apex, is there reflected and propagated to the carotid artery. The validity of this concept of the GS-KCG is proved on the basis of experiments with adrenaline and noradrenaline. The quantitative data of peaks and waves from four positions show a stability of the KCG and CSG pattern despite the influence of catecholamines. A comparison is made between the apex cardiogram (ACG) and KCG and determinants of the characteristic pattern of chest movements are given. It was further concluded that the technique of measuring reflection wave velocity (=intracardiac velocity) and pulse wave velocity (=vascular, mixed) can be used as a test for individual reactivity of the cardiovascular system. The wave velocities and the carotid amplitude can help in detecting a disposition towards coronary disease.