THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EVENTS IN THE CARDIAC CYCLE OF MAN

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The relationship between the electrical and mechanical events in the cardiac cycle of man were studied by recording the blood pressure in the right auricle, right ventricle, pulmonary artery and brachial artery simultaneously with the ecg. In adults with essentially normal circulation, the avg. time interval between the beginning of the P wave and the beginning of auricular systole was 0.09 sec. in 16 cases; that between the beginning of QRS and the beginning of the right ventricular systole was 0.075 sec. in 30 cases; that between the beginning of QRS and the beginning of the pulmonary artery ejection was 0.085 sec.; the duration of isometric contraction of the right ventricle, necessary to raise the pressure in the right ventricle from 3 mm.Hg to 8 mm. Hg, was 0.013 sec.; and the avg. time interval between the beginning of QRS and the beginning of brachial artery ejection was 0.16 sec. in 30 cases. The relationship between mechanical and electrical events in the various clinical disorders of the heart beat, in bundle branch block and pulsus alternans, is discussed.
Keywords