Ballistocardiographic Study in Severe Anemia

Abstract

Ballistocardiographic study in 10 cases of chronic severe anemia, with use of Dock's direct body ballistocardiograph, has been reported. The tracings were studied before and after treatment of anemia. All cases showed abnormal ballistocardiograms. The abnormalities presented no specific pattern. Prior to treatment, in the majority of cases, the waves were smaller than normal. With few exceptions, the tracings tended to regain their normal size on correction of anemia. No tracings showed fused HJ complexes, tall H waves, notched J waves, M patterns, or high-amplitude curves either before or after treatment. The present study shows that the state of severe anemia of chronic duration, impairs the mechanical force of cardiac contractions, and, on improvement of anemia, the functional state of the heart improves. Thus, it reflects the usefulness of this new tool in assessing the functional status of the heart in patients with chronically severe anemia.