The Aortic Arch Syndrome (Pulseless Disease)

Ten patients are presented in whom absent arterial pulsations were noted in 1 or both arms. Six patients also had absent carotid arterial pulsations on 1 or both sides. The blood pressure was determined satisfactorily by a machine devised to record the Korotkov vibrations. This indicates feeble arterial pulsation in spite of inability to palpate them clinically. Three autopsied cases showed severe atherosclerosis with superimposed thrombosis. Long-term anticoagulation used in 2 patients for as long as 3 years seemed to result in some clinical improvement.