[Phonomechanography: a premature requiem].
The value of phonomechanographic recordings has been contested in recent years. This seems to be the result of the upsurge in other non-invasive methods of investigating cardiac diseases and left ventricular function such as those based on ultrasound, pulsed Doppler or radioisotopes. Far from opposing these techniques, phonocardiography has benefited from their comparison and association which have validated the systolic time and amplitude indices previously used empirically. This validation justifies maintaining and developing phonomechanographic recordings. Whilst recognising their limits, five of their main advantages are emphasised. As a true extension of our senses and complementary to the human ear phonomechanography is, foremost, the continuation of clinical examination and an unique and ideal instrument for teaching cardiac auscultation. By confirming and explaining the nature of an auscultatory abnormality, recording the morphology and timing of the arterial and venous pulses and of the apex beat, phonomechanography participates in the positive and etiological diagnosis of various conditions and even provides a semiquantitative assessment in some diseases. Left ventricular function may be assessed by measuring the systolic time intervals and by quantifying the systolic apical impulse. This appreciation based on the period of isovolumic contraction is complementary to echocardiographic assessments of LV function which are calculated during the ejection period. Only by combining the various non-invasive methods can the weakness and practical limitations of each particular method be avoided. Finally, as the reliability of systolic time and amplitude indices have been validated, the relative ease of their determination and their economic advantages must be emphasised.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)