ANALYSIS OF THE PULSE CONTOUR IN RELATION TO SOUND PRODUCTION BY MEANS OF THE HYDROGEN TRANSMISSION PULSE-RECORDER

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Abstract
Optical pulse recording systems of the conventional type are thrown into instrumental vibrations by quickly moving pulsations such as those in experimental aortic regurgitation, and hence do not give true records. A "spring thread" pulse recorder (N = 500-600) was constructed and shown to give adequate records. Its inconvenience however interfered with its usefulness. The air transmission sphygmograph was modified by using H2 as the conducting gas. The natural frequency of the apparatus was thereby quadrupled, contradicting Otto Frank''s mathematical prediction of a mere 14% increase. The frequency of this apparatus can easily be raised to 800 cycles per sec. and it will give adequate records of quickly moving pulsations. In aortic regurgitation it is shown that the abrupt sounds are produced by quickly moving smooth pulsations, whose contours lack entirely the repetitive vibrations ordinarily identified with the sound as heard. Similarly, the pulsations causing the normal heart sounds (valvular components at least) and Korotkow sounds are not characterized by repetitive vibrations. Phonoarteriograms and phonocardiograms as ordinarily transcribed, directly or electrically, give a less adequate representation of the sounds as heard over the artery or heart than would an harmonic analysis of the simple pulse curve or apex beat. Such sounds as murmurs, however, appear on an adequate record as a series of vibrations.

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