Detection of cardiac disturbances following thoracic trauma with high-frequency analysis of the electrocardiogram.

High-frequency electrocardiograms (HF-ECG) were recorded from rabbits before and after delivery of blunt, nonpenetrating thoracic trauma. The conventional electrocardiographic record showed transient changes following the blow; the HF-ECG showed distinct notching and slurring in the QRS complex in most cases, which persisted throughout the course of the experiment. At autopsy, a contusive lesion of the right ventricle was always found.