Sway was measured by static posturography in 74 healthy subjects. Four age groups were investigated: 20–40,40–60, 60–70 and over 70 years with equal numbers of males and females in each group. Sway increased linearly with age but was not affected by gender at any age. All age groups were more dependent on proprioception than vision in the maintenance of balance, but when reliable pressoreceptor information was removed, dependence on vision increased. The relative contributions of the sensory systems to balance did not alter with advancing age. The increase in sway demonstrated with normal ageing does not appear due to altered peripheral sensibility. It is more likely that it is due to slowing of central integrative processes.

Some patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery require cardiac pacing. Surgical diathermy interferes with the operation of external pacemakers, and can cause a loss of cardiac output. The addition of a simple two-stage LC filter to the front end of the pacemaker enables cardiac output to be maintained during the use of surgical diathermy. (Although this article refers specifically to the Devices E4160 series pacemakers, the filter can, in principle, be used with any external pacemaker.

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