Abstract: A monitoring device for cardiac efficiency and cardiac sufficiency derived from pre-ejection and post-ejection potentials, cardiac metabolic rate, and cardiac power receives signals representative of ventricular pressures and sizes, body temperature, age, and sex. Cardiac efficiency is determined as the ratio of the mechanical work of the heart performed in one cardiac cycle which is equal to the difference of pre-ejection potential and post-ejection potential to the highest pre-ejection potential. Metabolic rate is determined as a multiple of the minimum cardiac work necessary to sustain life. Cardiac power is determined as the ratio of cardiac work to the time in which this work is performed. Cardiac efficiency and cardiac power are used to determine myocardial impairment, dysfunctions, sufficiency, and insufficiency.

Abstract: A monitoring device for cardiac efficiency receives signals representative of volume and pressure of the ventricle, oxygen consumption and heart rate and processes these signals to determine distinct energy levels during a cardiac cycle to delineate preload and afterload potentials. Cardiac efficiency is then determined as the energy transferred in a transition from the preload level to the afterload level as related to the preload level. Circulatory efficiency is determined as the ratio of transition energy over metabolic rate. Stroke and cardiac deficiency are determined by the ratio of stroke and cardiac preload/afterload potential band overlap divided by maximum stroke and cardiac preload potential, respectively. Circulatory deficiency is determined by the ratio of cardiac preload/afterload potential band overlpa divided by the metabolic rate.

Abstract: A non-invasive cardiac monitoring device for calculating the cardiac performance parameters of heartbeat, stroke volume, and cardiac output for an individual. The device receives a plurality of electrocardiogram waveform signals from the individual and selects the R-wave component having the maximum value of the electrocardiogram waveform signals and the T-wave component having the maximum value of the electrocardiogram waveforms. From these values, the stroke volume of the individual and the cardiac output of the individual may be calculated according to the equation: Stroke Volume=6.times.R(max.)/T(max.)+26.0. The periodicity of subsequent electrocardiogram waveforms are utilized to calculate the cardiac performance of the individual.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying physiologically standardized electrode positions from a multisensor electrocardiogram electrode sensor set. The P-, Q-, R-, S-, and T-wave components of each of the electrocardiogram waveforms are compared, and the sensors corresponding to the waveform containing the P-, Q-, R-, S, and T-wave components of the greatest magnitudes are selected as the standardized electrode positions.

Abstract: A non-invasive cardiac monitoring device for calculating the cardiac performance parameters of heartbeat, stroke volume, and cardiac output for an individual. The device receives electrocardiogram waveform signals from the individual and calculates a ratio of the R-wave component of the electrocardiogram waveform to the T-wave of the electrocardiogram waveform. From this ratio, the stroke volume of the individual and the cardiac output of the individual may be calculated. The periodicity of subsequent electrocardiogram waveforms are utilized to calculate the heartbeat of the individual.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a stress index S of a subject by determining from the EKG of the subject the peak valve of the R-wave and the T-wave; determining the ratio of the R-peak to the T-peak as an initial stress value Z; determining the corresponding stress value Z after the subject experiences stress or relief of stress and establishing the stress index S as the ratio of the Z values (after/before). A stress meter is proposed to provide visual or other indications of the instantaneous stress index. Methods of exercising subjects or treating subjects in accordance with stress index values are disclosed.