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(Circulation. 1957;16:572.)
© 1957 American Heart Association, Inc.

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A Clinical Study of the Brachial Arterial Pulse Form

With Special Reference to the Diagnosis of Aortic Valvular Disease

ERNEST W. HANCOCK M.D.¹ WALTER H. ABELMANN M.D.¹

¹ From the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory, Second and Fourth (Harvard) Medical Services, Boston City Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

A survey was made of the clinical usefulness of pulse forms from direct brachial arterial puncture of 250 patients. A prolonged duration of systolic upstroke and an anacrotic notch were found in most instances of severe aortic stenosis, but also frequently in patients with insignificant degrees of aortic stenosis, and occasionally in normal subjects. Characteristic, but nondiagnostic changes in the pulse form were noted in aortic insufficiency, mitral insufficiency, anemia, hyperthyroidism and exercise. The diagnostic significance of these findings is discussed.