Dicrotic pulse
- type of pulse characterized by a percussion wave in systole and a prominent dicrotic wave in diastole
- dicrotic wave is the result of reflected waves from the lower extremities and aorta
Causes:
- conditions associated with low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance can produce a dicrotic pulse
- a dicrotic pulse may also be caused by conditions associated with low systemic vascular resistance and a compliant aorta (e.g. sepsis) can also produce a dicrotic pulse
The 2 peaks in a dicrotic pulse occur in systole and diastole (as opposed to both occurring in systole with an anacrotic or bisferiens pulse).
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.