pulsus paradoxus

pulsus paradoxus,

an abnormally large decrease in systolic blood pressure and pulse wave amplitude during inspiration. The normal fall in pressure is less than 10 mm Hg. An excessive decline may be a sign of tamponade, adhesive pericarditis, severe lung disease, advanced heart failure, or other conditions. Also called paradoxic pulse.

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pulsus

[L.] pulse.

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pulsus alternans

see alternating pulse.

pulsus bigeminus

bigeminal pulse.

pulsus bisferiens

a pulse characterized by two strong systolic peaks separated by a midsystolic dip, most commonly occurring in pure aortic regurgitation and in aortic regurgitation with stenosis.

pulsus celer

a swift, abrupt pulse.

pulsus differens

inequality of the pulse obervable at corresponding sites on either side of the body.

pulsus paradoxus

an abnormal inspiratory decrease in arterial blood pressure, seen in cardiac tamponade and caused by a decreased pulmonary venous return.

pulsus parvus et tardus

a small hard pulse that rises and falls slowly.

pulsus tardus

an abnormally slow pulse.

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pulsus paradoxus

Cardiology A marked ↓ in pulse amplitude during normal quiet inspiration or a ↓ in the systolic pressure by > 10 mm Hg, a typical finding in cardiac tamponade, less common in constrictive pericarditis–quantifiable by a sphygmomanometer, superior vena cava obstruction, asthma, PE, shock, or after thoracotomy