Detection of Early Arteriosclerosis by External Pulse Recording

Observer variability in recording the peripheral pulses.

“…A previous study of observer variability in recording pulses in the foot gave results from which the authors concluded that there was "very great observer error with respect to the detection of ankle pulses", and that "the inability to detect an ankle pulse by one observer is quite without significance" (Ludbrook, Clarke, and McKenzie, 1962). These are disturbing suggestions for the clinician and the epidemiologist, particularly in view of the considerable attention currently being paid to the detection of early peripheral arteriosclerosis (Widmer, Greensher, and Kannel, 1964;Cooper, Hill, and Edwards, 1967;Lancet, 1967).…”

Reliability of Palpation of Pedal Pulses As Ascertained by the Kappa Statistic

“…In fact, manual palpation of the foot pulse is routinely practiced and taught. Although full evaluation of peripheral vascular disease requires instrument reading (6), clinical observation still has its place for the identification of vascular disease among the other numerous causes of leg pains in the elderly, especially if nondescript. The question then is whether or not it can be performed reliably.…”

The Effects of Aging, Vascular Disease and Hypertension on the Peripheral Pulse Volume

“…All methods for determining the volume of peripheral blood pulsations (1–15) depend upon displacement of one volume by another, the resulting change being registered by some mechanical or electromechanical transducer. Plethysmography is the study of such volume changes (Figs.…”