The microvibration (MV) of the thenar was recorded by means of a MV recording technique in normal young adults and patients with complete A-V block. In addition to the MV, the electrocardiogram (EKG) was also traced simultaneously to determine whether the existence of the MV components is related to the pulsation of the heart. The dominant vibrations of the MV were observed to be mainly made up of two definite groups of vibrations corresponding to R and T waves of the EKG in patients with complete A-V block as well as in normal subjects. In complete A-V block, however, the intervals between the dominant vibrations of each group prolonged according to the marked lengthening of the R-R interval in the EKG. Furthermore, the correspondence between the MV and P waves in the EKG was also observed slightly in complete A-V block. The above-mentioned results show that the dominant vibrations of the MV over the human body surface mainly consist of ballistocardiographic components at rest. © 1969, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.
