MODIFICATION OF VENTRICULAR GALLOP RHYTHM INDUCED BY POOLING OF BLOOD IN THE EXTREMITIES

Abstract
Control phonocardiograms in 18 patients who either displayed minimal congestive failure or were compensated showed ventricular gallop deflections usually 2-3 cycles in duration occurring 0.14 to 0.24 seconds after the onset of the 2d sound. Inflation of pneumatic cuffs around all extremities simultaneously to the diastolic blood pressure showed progressive disappearance of the gallop sound in 8 cases and decrease of amplitude in 2 cases after 5 minutes of inflation. It is felt that this procedure may be useful in differentiating a ventricular gallop from an opening snap or split 2d sound.