• R J Puls and K W Heizer.
• Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 75225, USA.
• Med. Hypotheses. 1996 Mar 1; 46 (3): 276-80.

AbstractThe general deterioration of the arterial system is well recognized but not easily measured. Leg pulse waves, generated by the electric impedance plethysmograph, would seem to be a promising method. This study is a mathematical analysis of these pulse waves from the legs. The data were taken from a previous study by the same authors. That study analyzed the pulse waves using a frequency analysis (Fourier) and a lumped component model of the circulatory system. Blood pressure became clinically very meaningful when a number could be assigned to it. This study is being done to determine if a numerical value could be assigned to different types of pulse waves. If this can be done it would furnish a new tool for analyzing the peripheral circulation and peripheral atherosclerosis. This would offer another method for analyzing therapeutic endeavors that affect the circulatory system. These pulse waves were from a rather homogeneous group of generally healthy white males. The subjects were arranged according to age: ages 5-11, ages 19-24, 36-45, ages 55-62, and ages 74-91. This present analysis involves an advanced mathematical analysis done by a computer. The first graph (4a)--sine amplitude vs age--showed a sloping line which intersects the abscissa at about age 100. The second graph (4b)--notch (of the downstroke of the pulse wave) vs age--showed a sloping line intersecting the age line at about age 100. Thus, these calculations suggest that the untreated circulatory system is programmed to have a functional death at about age 100. The two methods used, one involving mathematical calculations and one involving graphic measurements, showed that a number can be put on the pulse wave. The higher the number, theoretically the better the circulation. Then if a treatment scheme can substantially raise the patient's pulse wave number, it might be expected to increase the longevity of their circulatory system.

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