PULSE ARRIVAL TIME AS A METHOD OF OBTAINING SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC BLOOD-PRESSURE INDIRECTLY

The peripheral arterial pulse is easily detected and with the standard cuff method, it permits determination of systolic pressure, i. e. cuff pressure for pulse appearance during cuff deflation. To date, it has not been possible to obtain diastolic pressure using the periperal pulse by seeking a transition in pressure using the peripheral pulse by seeking a transition in waveform or amplitude. However, if attention is focused on the instant in the cardiac cycle when the pulse appears, it is possible to obtain diastolic pressure. This short technical note describes the principle and typical results using normo- hyper- and hypotensive dogs. Direct arterial lines were used in this study to demonstrate the principle. The method can be possibly applied using two arterial pulse pickups, one located just beyond the cuff and the other at any other convenient site. Piezoelectric, photoelectric or impedance pulse detection are all candidates for this application.