[Phonomechanocardiographic evaluation of hypertensive cardiopathy]

The result of a study of 100 cases of arterial hypertension with various aetiology is presented from a phonomechanocardiographic viewpoint. Findings suggest that irregularities in the apicocardiographic curve recorded in Pachon position, and particularly the "a" wave and the "a" index, are highly sensitive and provide an early warning of contractile deficiency of the left ventricle. The mechanism leading to the pathological appearance of the "a" wave is discussed.