Patent ID: 8862221

Claim:
A method of monitoring mechanical properties of a heart in a subject, comprising the steps of: a) determining a first set of multiple cardiogenic impedance values reflective of the impedance of said heart during a defined period of a heart cycle occurring in connection with a transition from inhalation to exhalation in said subject; b) determining a second set of multiple cardiogenic impedance values reflective of the impedance of said heart during said defined period of a heart cycle occurring in connection with a transition from exhalation to inhalation in said subject; c) collectively processing with a data processor said multiple cardiogenic impedance values of said first set as a function of said second set to determine a relationship between the first and second set and analyzing the relationship between the first and second sets to form a trend parameter representative of respiratory effect on said cardiogenic impedance values; d) repeating said determining steps a), b) and processing step c) to form a plurality of trend parameters over time; and e) monitoring said mechanical properties of said heart by processing said plurality of trend parameters.