Left Atrial Electrokymography in Mitral Insufficiency in Man

The relationship of the left atrial border movements to underlying pressure and volume changes was investigated in individual human subjects with proved mitral insufficiency. Based on these observations, criteria for the recognition of hemodynamically significant mitral insufficiency have been revised. Special emphasis is placed on a rapid inward movement of the atrial wall during the period of early diastolic emptying. Application of these criteria to a group of patients with surgically proved valvular lesions suggests that they are more reliable than those previously described.