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Clinical investigation by the oscillogram of peripheral arteries

1955; Elsevier BV; Volume: 49; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0002-8703(55)90068-5

1097-6744

Michael Kettner, C Ferrero, P.W. Duchosal,

Peripheral Artery Disease Management

An analysis of the oscillograms (tracings of arterial oscillations) of the extremities of 127 subjects, both normal and diseased, is presented. Tracings were made with a specially constructed differential manometer based on the principles of the torsion-tension relationship of a twisted metal band, and utilizing an ordinary blood pressure cuff. An accurate standardization of the recordings was effected by use of a hypodermic syringe in the pneumatic system. Nitroglycerin was given as a test for vasodilatation. Records were taken with cuff pressure below the level of diastole, before and after medication. A consistent pattern was seen in the ankle oscillograms in the fifty-eight normal subjects studied. The patterns of tracings taken from the fingers and forearms were inconsistent and variable. Of forty-four patients with arterial disease, twenty-seven showed abnormally shaped pulse forms in ankle oscillograms. The remainder showed normally or equivocally shaped forms. A number of the twenty-five patients with various other diseases showed different degrees of abnormality, although most showed normal tracings. No absolute criteria as to timing and size of pulsations, or response to nitroglycerin, could be established, since there was a great overlap between the normal and diseased groups. A brief discussion of the principles involved is presented. Although more accurate than the clinical determination of the oscillometric index, the oscillogram as recorded by this method is still of limited clinical value. The method promises to be of value in investigative work, by providing an objective measurement of the clinical evaluation of disease states of peripheral arteries, the effects of drugs, and the results of treatment. The manometer described may also be useful in other physiological and clinical studies.