Noninvasive technique for monitoring of left ventricular filling dynamics

The apexcardiogram (ACG) permits low-cost, continuous monitoring of left ventricular filling but often loads the chest wall and is not quantitative. A model of diastolic model is offered to provide analytical interpretation of the ACG. A fiber optic approach is provided for noncontacting measurement of the ACG. Combined, these two methods offer a technique of measuring the degree of filling impairment and abnormal ventricular wall motion.