Arterial pulse

•Pulse is the rhythmical vibration of the arterial walls caused by contractions of the heart, blood discharge into the arterial system, and changes in pressure in this system during systole and diastole.

•Pulse wave is transmitted due to the ability of arterial walls to distend and collapse.

Palpation of the pulse

•This is the main method of examination of pulse. It should be studied first on the radial artery.

•The patient's hand is grasped by the examiner so that the thumb of the right hand is placed on the dorsal side of the arm (near the radiocarpal joint) while the other fingers remain on the frontal side of the arm.

Properties of arterial pulse

•Symmetry

•Rhythm

•Pulse rate

•Pulse pressure

•Volume of pulse

•Pulse size

•Pulse character

Properties of arterial pulse

1)Symmetry: symmetrical/asymmetrical

2)Rhythm

a.Regular

b.Irregular

3)Rate

a.Normal ( 60-90 per minute)

b.Bradicardia (<60 per minute)

c.Tachycardia (>90 per minute).

Properties of arterial pulse

3)Force

a.Pulsus durus (hard or high-tension pulse)

b.Pulsus mollis (soft)

c.Normal pulse

4)Volume

a.Pulsus plenus (full)

b.Pulsus vacuus

Assessment of pulse

Pulsus differens

Different volume and force between arms

Causes:

Unilateral atherosclerosis of major arteriesCompression of major arteries (tumors, aortic aneurisms)

Properties of arterial pulse

5)Amplitude

a.Pulsus magnus (high pulse)

b.Pulsus parvus (small pulse)

c.Pulsus filiformis (thready)

d.Pulsus aequalis (uniform)

e.Pulsus inaequalis (unequal)

f.Pulsus alternans (alternating pulse)

6)Character

a.Pulsus celer (quick pulse)

b.Pulsus tardus (slow pulse)

c.Pulsus dycroticus (dicrotic)

d.Pulsus paradoxus (paradoxical)

Properties of arterial pulse

1.Normal

2.Pulsus parvus

3.Pulsus parvus et tardus

4.Pulsus filiformis

5.Pulsus celer

6.Pulsus dicroticus

7.Pulsus alternans

8.Pulsus paradoxus