[Comparison of carotid pulse in normal subjects and coronary patients]

A comparison of the values of R-R, S1S2, QS1, QS2, LVET, PEP, and ICT recorded from the carotid pulse of 40 coronary patients and 40 normal subjects has shown that the coronary group, when compared with the normals, show: --A significant lengthening of the QS2, PEP and ICT values, and a tendency towards lengthening of the S1S2 interval. --A tendency towards shortening of the LVET period. The ratio of PEP/LVET is a particularly good discriminant factor between the two groups. Because of these differences, assessment of the carotid pulse, which is an easy and non-invasive investigation, has become a good means of diagnosing coronary arterial disease. The results of this study have been compared with those from previous studies, and the clinical significance of the different findings has been analysed.