Kinetocardiography: past and present.

Kinetocardiography (KCG) records the absolute displacement of several points of the precordium. KCG utilizes only the low frequency motions (0--30 Hz). Computer availability allows for many improved methods of KCG evaluation. Amplitude and time normalization make averaging of curves more meaningful. Determining the mean of many KCGs of patients with the same disease offers a useful means of comparison. Of more recent interest is the possibility of comparing preoperative to postoperative curves of patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Greatly increased total systolic retraction is evidenced in patients with improved clinical findings.