Pulse

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When checking pulses, assess rhythm, strength, contour, and symmetry.

 

 

 

 

Carotid Pulse

The carotid pulse provides information about cardiac function, and is especially useful for detecting aortic insufficiency or stenosis.

To assess amplitude and contour, have the patient lie down, with the head of the bed elevated. Press medially to the SCM, at the level of the cricoid cartilage, using two fingers or thumb. Avoid pressing the carotid sinus, located at the level of the thyroid cartilage. Never press both carotid arteries at once.

 

 

 

Special Findings

 

Corrigan's waterhammer pulse: wide pulse pressure, best felt on radial or brachial arteries, exaggerated by raising arm.

deMusset's sign: a head bob with each heart beat

Traub's sign: pistol shot pulse, with systolic and diasolic sounds, heard over the femoral arteries

Duroziez's sign - systolic and diastolic bruit heard when the femoral artery is partially compressed

Mueller's sign - systolic pulsations of the uvula

Becker's sign - visible pulsations of the retinal arteries and pupils

Mayne's sign

Hill's sign

Rosenbach's sign - systolic pulsations of the liver

Gerhard's sign - systolic pulsations of the spleen

Qunkie's pulses: aortic insufficiency

collapsing: severe AI

paradoxical: tamponade

variable volume: atrial fibrillation

 

 

 

Quinkie's pulses: capillary pulsations in the fingertips or lips