Studies Made by Simulating Systole at Necropsy

Abstract

"Left ventricular" work can be estimated with great accuracy in cadaver experiments in which both pressure curves and curves of cardiac output at each instant of systole were recorded. Using these accurate estimates as a target, methods have been sought which would permit the estimation of cardiac work from measurements which could be made in the clinic and the accuracy of such methods has been assessed. A method of approximating the left ventricular work has been devised which is so simple that it could be used by any doctor practising medicine.