Local ballistocardiographic spectrum studies from signals obtained from limbs and carotid artery with an EMFi sensor induced with a tilt table

The purpose of this work is to study the effect of a tilt table test procedure on ballistocardiographic (BCG) signal by using Electromechanical Film (EMFi) strip sensors. The ECG, BCG, carotid pulse (CP) from the neck near the carotid artery and ankle pulse signals were recorded from 7 persons. The spectral components of the recordings during the tilt table test were studied concentrating mainly on heart induced pulsatile signals propagating along the artery to the periphery. The properties of BCG pulse signal changed due to the tilt test in spectral domain. Blood pressure (BP) values and shape of the pulse changed due to the tilt test. According to this study, local BCG measurements with EMFi sensor strips combined with a tilt test can be used as a very simple non-invasive method in hemodynamic studies.