[Semi-automatic acquisition and processing of mechanocardiograms].

Like echocardiography and radio-isotope techniques, mechanocardiography has a special place in the evaluation of left ventricular function in heart disease. This recognized technique can be easily performed by clinicians or pharmacologists or in aerospace medicine. A programme has been developed from micro-processor material (HP 9845 S - SP 9835 - HP 6940 B multi-programmer) already in use in the department. After sampling at 700 Hz and quantification, this programme can reproduce a complete mechanocardiographic tracing consisting of ECG, phonocardiogram, carotidogram and apexogram . The first derivative of the apex cardiogram is calculated numerically and visualized. The characteristic events of the systolic phase of the apex cardiogram are then checked manually or semi-automatically by the operator. After confirmation, the calculations are performed and are edited with the tracings. This system eliminates the need for a recorder, as the tracings can be stored on cassette or diskette and recalled later for statistical analysis. These programmes make the interpretation of the mechanocardiographic tracings considerably simpler and faster.