A Noninvasive Method of Measuring Force-Frequency Relations to Evaluate Cardiac Contractile State of Patients during Exercise for Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background Evaluation of the contractile state of the left ventricle during exercise is important for cardiac rehabilitation. As yet, no noninvasive methods for this purpose have been established. The force-frequency relation (FFR) during exercise has the potential for evaluating the contractile state noninvasively. Color Doppler- and echo tracking-derived carotid arterial wave intensity is a sensitive index of global left ventricular (LV) contractility.