Mechanisms of Contraction of the Normal and Failing Heart

Behavior of the Human HeartDuring the past two decades it has been possible to study in the human heart many of the fundamental physiologic principles presented earlier in this review. The extensions of these investigations to man have largely been made possible by advances in cardiac surgery and in the development of diagnostic hemodynamic technics. In turn, the results of these investigations are already contributing to an increased understanding of the disturbed physiology that characterizes many forms of heart disease. Initially, emphasis was placed on the measurement of cardiac output and intracardiac pressures at rest and during exertion, in . . .