UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 8, 2004


                    CardioDynamics International Corporation
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


California                              0-11868                 95-3533362
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(State or other jurisdiction          (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation)                    File Number)           Identification No.)


6175 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California                          92121
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(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (858) 535-0202
                                                      --------------


                                       n/a
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Items 5. Other Events:

     Exhibit filed with this report:

     Exhibit 99.1  Registrant's  press release  dated January 8, 2004,  publicly
     announcing the Appointment of a Medical Director.

                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                                       CARDIODYNAMICS
                                                       INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Date:  January 8, 2004                                 By: /s/ Stephen P. Loomis
                                                          ----------------------
                                                       Stephen P. Loomis
                                                       Chief Financial Officer