Mapping of peripheral pulse contours in humans revealed three distinct categories of changes during outward propagation through the arterial systems, including anacrotic steepening and peak augmentation.
Observational
The changes in pulse contour attending outward propagation were mapped through subclavian-brachial-radial and aorta-upper femoral artery systems. These changes could be placed into three categories. a) In elastic aorta and upper subclavian artery, the anacrotic slope was transmitted intact, that is, with little evidence of damping and with a delayed summation with a reflected wave. Pulse pressure increased, in relatively small amounts, probably because of a fusion between the primary and the reflected wave. This reflected component consisted of the first part of the primary form only. Unlike the dog, the human being did not show simultaneous pressure peaks in the aorta, nor was there clear evidence of later reciprocal oscillations. b) There were transition regions where the anacrotic slope steepened immediately, pulse pressure was clearly augmented, and, in the subclavian-upper arm system, a simultaneous pressure peak was developed. The amount of augmentation could not be explained on the basis of a single reflected wave, and if it is attributed to multiple reflections, the summed pressure height must have been propagated into the next segment of artery. c) In the muscular brachial-radial system, and upper femoral, anacrotic steepening and peak augmentation usually continued, but the peaks appeared propagated. The pulse contour of the arm system showed three pressure waves. Only the first showed simultaneous timing. Its size seemed to reflect the speed of anacrotic pressure rise of the central pulse. The second wave was dependent in part on maintenance of high pressure values in late systole in the central pulse. The third wave followed the incisural trough. If these waves represented wave reflections, the site of these reflections is not constant. It remains possible that these waves mark separate surges of blood into the arm and are thus propagated rather than 'resonating' waves. Only two waves were seen in the aorta, the first being the systolic peak of the central pulse as it was propagated outward, and the second following the incisura. Submitted on May 21, 1956
Remington et al. (Thu,) reported a observational. Mapping of peripheral pulse contours in humans revealed three distinct categories of changes during outward propagation through the arterial systems, including anacrotic steepening and peak augmentation.