PULSE WAVE VELOCITIES IN NINETY SUBJECTS

Abstract

The average carotid-radial pulse wave velocity in 49 subjects was 8.007 m. per sec; the av. subclavian-radial, in 102 determinations on 89 subjects, 7.33 m. The av. velocity from carotid to brachial was 6.83, and from subclavian to brachial, 6.26. From brachial to radial it was 10.6. The velocity in the carotid artery is indirectly calculated to have been 3.15 m. per sec. There is a slight positive correlation between pulse wave velocity and heart rate. The correlation between pulse wave velocity and systolic or diastolic blood pressure is good in women. In men both these correlations fail. In a single case the pulse wave of auricular premature beats traveled, not more slowly, but if anything more rapidly, than the other waves. No significant difference was found between the groups who did and who did not report family history of hypertension. The physiological state of the in-dividual exerts a marked influence upon the pulse wave velocity.