The Force Ballistocardiogram as an Index of Severity in Congenital Aortic Stenosis

Evidence is presented that the ultra-low frequency force ballistocardiogram is a sensitive index of severity in children with congenital aortic stenosis. In 300 normal children no abnormal tracing was found. In 46 children with clinical aortic stenosis, the ballistocardiogram was abnormal in all patients with a transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradient of over 35 mm Hg.