The Ballistocardiogram in a Free Clinic

Of 240 patients consecutively admitted to the Cardiac Clinic of the Cincinnati General Hospital, and on whom a clinical diagnosis of heart disease was ultimately established, 204 had a ballistocardiogram taken and either an electrocardiogram, a six-foot chest plate or both of the latter two. The ballistocardiogram was evaluated (1) in terms of abnormality of pattern and (2) in degree of deviation from normal initial cardiac force. Frequency of abnormality in the various technics is presented for the group as a whole as well as for several etiologic groups. It is concluded that for a population of this kind the frequency of abnormality in the ballistocardiogram and electrocardiogram is essentially the same, whereas it is somewhat less in the chest plate.