Paradoxical pulse

Abstract

For thousands of years, palpation of the peripheral pulse was the most important source of information for the physicians about their patients' circulation. The rate, amplitude, and pattern of the pulse served as a basis of amazing observations, although several of them have been also confirmed and substantiated by modern medicine. One of the classical signs is "paradoxical pulse" (PP), which signals potentially life-threatening conditions with various mechanisms in certain diseases. In our review, we demonstrate the pathophysiological bases of PP, and show the equivalents of this sign provided by modern medical equipments.