The hyperkinetic heart syndrome.

The hyperkinetic heart syndrome is described herein as a clinical and physiological entity. Clinically, it is characterized by an increased rate of ejection of blood with each cardiac beat, but not necessarily by an increased output of blood per minute. The syndrome has been observed in patients from ages 7 to 48 and seen to vary in intensity and in the rapidity with which ultimate ventricular hypertrophy and failure ensue. The relationship to subsequent hypertension remains to be explored. Despite superficial similarities to the effects of catecholamine stimulation, no firm evidence is at hand concerning this or any other etiologic factor.