La Plethysmographie Digitale

SummaryBy means of a very simple apparatus, the pulse wave velocity in upper and lower extremities of man, as well as the crest time and the inclination time of the pulse waves in fingers and toes, has been measured. Normal values were established and the influence of age demonstrated.In patients with clinical signs of arteriopathy, the pulse wave velocity is usually reduced. In 33 % of the cases however, normal values were found. The crest time and the inclination time of the plethysmogram are pathological in nearly 9I % of the cases with obvious signs of ischaemia.These data do not permit 10 estimate the peripheral blood flow. The pathological findings just allow to conclude to the existence of a collateral circulation.The method described seems of particular interest for the study of coarctation of the aorta and for diseases affecting the small arteries, so as Raynaud’s phenomen, Raynaud’s disease, von Winiwarter-Buerger’s disease, Vaquez’s disease and lesions of the palmar arch. It may be very useful ...