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Bisferiens pulse

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

In the bisferiens wave form there are two pressure peaks. The sequential changes in pressure are described below:

  • an initial sharp upstroke
  • a small decrease in pressure
  • a second peak, similar to the first
  • a decrease in pressure down to baseline

This wave form has a large amplitude and the examiner should be able to feel two distinct impulses with each pulse beat.

This pulse is felt best in the radial artery.

In a bisferiens pulse, the 2 peaks both occur in systole. In contrast to an anacrotic or bisferiens pulse, the 2 peaks in a dicrotic pulse occur in systole and diastole.


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