Influence of ventricular ejection on the relationship between central aortic and brachial pressure pulse in man.

Pressure waves were recorded simultaneously in the aortic arch and brachial artery of 32 patients during diagnostic catheterization. Use of harmonic analysis enabled cardiac and vascular factors determining pulse contour to be distinguished. Differences in ventricular ejection were the most important cause of differences in the relationship of the brachial to the aortic pulse.