The term "pulsus catadicrotus" refers to a type of abnormal pulse found in medical practices. It can be difficult to spell this term, but with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is easier to understand. The pronunciation is: /ˈpʌlsəs ˌkætəˈdaɪkrətəs/. The primary stress is on the first syllable. "Pulsus" refers to a pulse and "catadicrotus" refers to a double beat in the pulse. This term is used in medical contexts to accurately describe a specific type of pulse.
Pulsus catadicrotus is a medical term used to describe a specific type of pulse or arterial waveform pattern identified during a physical examination. The term is derived from Latin words “pulsus,” which means pulse, “cata,” which means against or down, and “diacrotus,” which means double-beat.
The pulsus catadicrotus is characterized by a pulse rhythm that displays a double-beat or a double-peak appearance. It is typically observed in patients with specific cardiovascular conditions such as aortic regurgitation, aortic insufficiency, or aortic valve disease.
When assessing the pulse, a physician or healthcare provider may notice that the arterial pulse waveform exhibits a prominent second peak or a recoiling wave following the first peak, creating a double-peak pattern. This occurs due to the backflow or retrograde flow of blood into the left ventricle during diastole as a result of an incompetent aortic valve.
The presence of pulsus catadicrotus is considered a clinical sign and should be further investigated to determine the underlying cause. It is often associated with an underlying cardiovascular pathology and may indicate aortic valve dysfunction. Diagnostic tests such as echocardiography or Doppler ultrasound may be performed to evaluate the severity of the valvular defect and guide appropriate treatment decisions. Prompt recognition of pulsus catadicrotus is crucial for proper management and monitoring of patients with aortic valve disease, as it can help clinicians assess the overall cardiovascular function and guide treatment decisions.
A p. catacrotus in which there are two interrupting upward notches.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "pulsus catadicrotus" is made up of two main components: "pulsus" and "catadicrotus".
1. "Pulsus" is derived from the Latin word "pulsus", which means "a beating, a pulse". This Latin term itself is derived from the verb "pello", which means "to push, beat". In medical terminology, "pulsus" refers to the rhythmic throbbing or beating of the arteries, which can be felt by palpation.
2. "Catadicrotus" is derived from the Greek word "καταδίκροτος" (katadíkrotos). The Greek prefix "kata-" means "down" or "below", while "díkrotos" means "double beat" or "double impulse".