THE MECHANISM OF GALLOP SOUNDS, STUDIED WITH THE AID OF THE ELECTROKYMOGRAPH

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Abstract
Electrokymographic, phonocardiographic, ballistocardiographic, and venous pressure studies were made on 28 patients with hypertension and heart failure with gallop rhythm. Two patients each with presystolic and protodiastolic gallop rhythms were selected and studied in detail. The results obtained during and after digitalis therapy were studied and compared. A wave of rapid ventricular filling was found to be indispensable for production of either the protodiastolic or presystolic gallop sound. The gallop sound was observed to occur during ventricular filling and not after its completion. The study supports the view that an impact or sudden stretching of the ventricular wall is the chief cause of production of the gallop sound.