Seismocardiography

Seismocardiography (SCG) is a non-invasive biomedical monitoring technique that measures the vibrations of the chest wall produced by the heart's mechanical activity. These vibrations, known as seismocardiograms, are generated by the impact of the heart against the chest wall during each cardiac cycle, particularly during the ejection phase. The SCG signal is typically acquired using accelerometers placed on the sternum or other precubic locations.

The waveform of the SCG contains distinct peaks and troughs that correspond to specific events within the cardiac cycle, such as atrial and ventricular contractions, valve closures, and blood flow dynamics. Analyzing these features allows for the assessment of various cardiac parameters. SCG can provide information about heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, and the timing of mechanical events. It has also shown potential in detecting abnormalities like arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and diastolic dysfunction.

Compared to electrocardiography (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart, SCG captures the mechanical consequences of that electrical activity. This makes it complementary to ECG and can offer unique insights into cardiac function. SCG is considered a low-cost and portable technology, making it suitable for continuous monitoring in various settings, including hospitals, wearable devices for remote patient monitoring, and even sports science applications. Research continues to explore its diagnostic capabilities and its integration with other physiological signals for more comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.