[Studies on the palpable intensity of the radial pulse (author's transl)]

Depending on the pressure of the palpating finger the radial pulse may be found differently "large" in spite of unchanged intravasal pulse pressure. In this paper the amplitude of the extravasal volume pulse is examined related to a continually diminished coupling pressure of a foto-electrical pulse detector. First, the amplitudes increase with the declining external pressure, reach a maximum and then diminish again. This is exactly the same course one gets palpating the radial pulse with the finger. The intravasal pressure amplitudes however show at the same time a different kind of course. These differences between extra- and intravasal pulsation usually can be seen in patients with undistrubed circulation. Having a vasoconstriction in the radial artery the course of the extravasal volume pulse-curve appears different and the sensation of the palpating finger, too. In this case the pulse is palpable evenly small. The differences can be explained by the changes in the pressure-builded elastic tension of the arterial wall and the stronger contraction of the vessels muscles in vasconstriction. Thus, the diagnosis vasoconstriction can be made palpating the radial pulse.