Digital Volume Pulse Research Articles

Digital pulse volume in hemiplegia.

SUMMARYSymmetrical and simultaneous autonomic nervous alterations of peripheral blood flow in hemiplegic and normal limbs have been demonstrated at rest and under emotional stress. Total digital blood flow in the hemiplegic digit appears to be decreased, and may be further affected by involuntary muscular spasms.RÉSUMÉII a été possible de démontrer l'existence d'alterations du système nerveux autonome, symétriques et simultanées, modifiant le débit sanguin périphérique dans le membre hémiplégique comme dans le membre normal, au repos et sous l'influence de l'émotion. Le débit sanguin total dans les doigts hémiplégiques apparait diminué et cette diminution peut même ètre aggravée par des spasmes musculaires involontaires.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGSymmetrische, autonom nervöse Änderungen des peripheren Blutkreislaufs wurden gleichzeitig in halbseitengelähmten und normalen Gliedmaβen in Ruhe und unter psychischer Belastung gemessen. Es scheint, daβ das digitale Puls‐Volumen im gelähmten Glied vermindert ist und weiter durch unwillkürliche Muskelspasmen beeinfluβt werden kann.RESUMENSe han demostrado alteraciones nerviosas autónomas simétricas y simultáneas en la circulacion de sangre periférica en miembros hepipléjicos y sanos, en reposo y bajo stress emocional. Parece que el flujo total de sangre digital en el dedo hemipléjico disminuya, y espasmos musculares involuntarios pueden afectarlo además de eso.

Counterconditioning: fear and relaxation.

ABSTRACTCounterconditioning of autonomic responses was evaluated by means of a compound stimulus transfer paradigm. During three sessions on different days Ss were conditioned to give a GSR to a visual stimulus (colored light) and further trained to relax on presentation of a visually projected stimulus word. After training on both experiences had progressed, test trials were introduced to assess the magnitude of response to the fear cue alone and to the compound stimulus created by simultaneous presentation of both cues (the word superimposed on the colored light background).Significant inhibitory transfer effects were observed with the GSR. On the last test trials the digital pulse volume showed less constriction to the compound of fear and relaxation stimuli than to the fear stimulus alone.

The morphology of digital volume pulse wave in health and hypertension recorded plehtysmographically.

The present investigation aims at clarifying the pathogenesis of hypertension by evaluation of 11 parameters derived from geometrical analysis of finger pulse waves, which were recorded plethysmographically. 259 subjects (male 136, female 123) from 20 to 80 years were divided into 128 normotensives and 131 hypertensives and were subdivided into 23-39, 40-59, and over 60 years groups.In normotensives, the contours of pulse waves change with advancement of age. Statistically significant age changes were observed in an increase of the relative crest time, inclination time, ratio of amplitude of dicrotic waves to peak amplitude and in the decrease of elasticity index in both sexes.When male hypertensives are compared with the male normotensives, the statistically significant interaction betwenn age and blood pressure is observed in the relative crest time and elasticity index. The average relative crest time and elasticity index in male normotensives are significantly low in the case of relative crest time and significantly high in the case of elasticity index compared with those of hypertensives in age group of 20-39 and 40-59 respectively. The diminition of dicrotic wave in male and female hypertensives in ages from 20 to 39 suggests that the increase of peripheral resistance may be involved the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.Over the age of 60, none of the parameters indicate a significant difference between the normal and the hypertension group.Males and females over the age of 60 were put together and divided into five subgroups according to systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the subjects with only systolic elevations but diastolic normal blood pressure levels, the parameters concerned with anacrotic limbs, viz. relative crest time, elasticity index, inclination time and angle of anacrotic limb, revealed similar values to those of normotensives, while other parameters derived from catacrotic limbs, such as the percentage of descending time at 1/2 or 1/4 peak amplitude, relative amplitude at 1/2 or 1/4 the distance of the diastolic phase in subjects with systolic hypertension show lower values than those of other types of hypertension. The changes of parameters concerned with anacrotic limb in elderly systolic hypertensives may reflect the decrease of elasticity in the peripheral vasculature which is common in normotensives with advancement of age, but the concave direction of the slope of the catacrotic limb in elderly sysotlic hypertensives suggests that the resistance of peripheral circulation remains at the level of normotensives.

The effect of meprobamate on the somatic responses of anxious patients and normal controls.

ABSTRACTThe skeletal muscle activity and digital volume pulse of anxious psychiatric patients and normal controls were used as measures to confirm the hypothesis that meprobamate would reduce the level of muscle activity and autonomic responsivity of the patients to that of the controls when both groups experienced a mild “stress”—delayed auditory feedback (DAF).

Plethysmographic studies in atherosclerosis obliterans

The abnormalities of digital pulse volume in a series of twenty-two patients with atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs are reported. After a correlation between arteriographic and plethysmographic findings, three types of abnormalities are distinguished in the pulse volume contour: Grade 1: the peak is rounded, dicrotic phenomena are absent, and the curve has a sinusoidal aspect but its amplitude is not reduced; it corresponds to patients with an arterial stenosis of short length and an adequate collateral circulation. Grade 2: in addition to the morphologic abnormalities of grade 1, toe pulse volume is reduced on an average to a half of normal values; it corresponds to patients with more extensive arterial occlusion and a moderately developed collateral circulation. Grade 3: marked flattening of the plethysmogram with meager amplitude values is present; it corresponds to multiple and diffuse occlusive lesions and frequent obstruction of the popliteal, tibial, plantar and digital arteries. Collateral circulation is deficient or non-existent. The clinical and surgical significance of the observed abnormalities is discussed. The value of digital plethysmography in the estimation of the vascular reserve, the preoperative selection for grafting arterial surgery, control of the results of medical and surgical treatment, and prognosis of these patients is emphasized.

The effect of intravenous protoveratrine on digital pulse volume and digital skin temperature in hypertensive patients.

The change in digital pulse volume and skin temperature was observed after intravenous protoveratrine in 25 studies. A significant increase in the average pulse volume of the finger was noted but the range of change was large. The average change of pulse volume in the toe was not significant. A slight increase in the finger skin temperature was noted. "Vasodilatation" of the hand and feet was not the only factor resulting in a fall in blood pressure since it did not occur in all patients.

Impedance plethysmography in study of peripheral circulation.

DIGITAL pulse volume studies have proved of great value in the study of the peripheral circulation. The methods most commonly used have the disadvantage that they necessitate placing the digit in an airtight or watertight cylindrical compartment. In most of them the tracings are recorded on photographic paper, and analysis of data must wait until the film is developed. The present study is concerned with a method of recording pulse volume changes by alterations in electrical impedance of the digit under study. This method requires only the attachment of electrodes to the digit and utilizes a direct-writing recorder. The biophysical background of tissue impedance and impedance plethysmography has been summarized extensively by Nyboer and his associates.1Impedance plethysmograms are recordings of variations in the electrical resistance and reactance of segments of the body to intermediate and high frequency alternating currents. The impedance pulse tracings reflect the mechanical pulse volume

Clinical appraisal of hexamethonium (C6) in peripheral vascular diseases.

SINCE Paton and Zaimis1 suggested the clinical potentialities and demonstrated the ganglion-blocking properties of pentamethonium (C5) and hexamethonium (C6), much interest has centered on these compounds. Studies by Arnold and his co-workers,2 using C5, and by Burt and Graham, using C5 and C6,3 demonstrated that these agents are 5 times as potent as tetraethylammonium (TEA). Pentamethonium iodide in doses of 50 mg. given intravenously produced a rise of digital skin temperature with a simultaneous increase in digital blood flow and pulse volume lasting for one to two hours. Studies in this laboratory4 confirmed the observations of these British investigators and . . .