Polycardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in the elderly]

Polycardiographic recordings have been carried out in 57 individuals (16 men and 41 women), aged between 70 and 97 years (mean age 78.3 years), both at rest and during the stimulation of circulatory system by the cooling of hand. Systolic time intervals of the left ventricle and QT/QS2 ratio have been evaluated. It was found, that systolic time intervals at rest did not differ significantly from those given by Weissler. Cooling of hand has been manifested by: prolongation of LVETI, decrease in PEP/LVET, prolongation of QS2I, and decrease in QT/QS2. Results suggest indirectly that myocardium of the elderly adapts to the stimulation through Frank-Sterling mechanism.