A technique for the quantitative recording of precordial pulsations

The recording of pulsations of the chest wall associated with cardiac causation has been used to assist in evaluating cardiac disease. These pulsations recorded at two points have had particular use. The apexcardiogram (ACG) recorded over the apex of the heart and the left parasternal cardiogram (LPC) recorded at the left lower sternal border are correlated with a large body of knowledge about cardiac pathology. A transducer has been designed which would allow displacement calibrated recordings of these pulsations, and which would load the chest insignificantly. The results of clinical trials with this transducer show that this will record these pulsations, and that the calibration in terms of deflection promises to add to the usefulness of these recordings.