Final answer:
Tardokinesis refers to a delay in wall motion during the cardiac cycle, specifically during ventricular diastole following repolarization, which hinders the relaxation phase of the ventricles represented by the T wave on an ECG.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tardokinesis refers to a delay in the cardiac cycle, which is the period of time between the onset of atrial contraction (atrial systole) and ventricular relaxation (ventricular diastole). The cardiac cycle consists of a distinct relaxation and contraction phase. Specifically, tardokinesis would relate to a delay in wall motion rather than valve opening or the filling of either ventricle. It's important to understand the cardiac cycle since it describes the events related to the flow of blood that occur during a single heartbeat including atrial depolarization, ventricular depolarization, ventricular repolarization, and atrial repolarization.
Ventricular relaxation, or diastole, follows repolarization of the ventricles and is represented by the T wave of the ECG. It is during this phase that tardokinesis would mainly be observed, as it would lead to a delay in the relaxation of the ventricular walls.