The term "pulsus vacuus" is a medical term used to describe a weak pulse. The spelling is derived from Latin and is pronounced as /ˈpʊlsəs ˈvækjuəs/. It can be broken down into two parts: "pulsus," which means pulse, and "vacuus," which means empty or void. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to explain the exact pronunciation of each sound in the word. Understanding the spelling and pronunciation of this term can aid in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the cardiovascular system.
Pulsus vacuus is a term derived from Latin, composed of "pulsus" meaning pulse and "vacuus" meaning empty or void. In medical terminology, pulsus vacuus refers to a clinical condition characterized by an abnormally weak or diminished pulse. It indicates an apparent absence of the pulse during arterial palpation, often due to an increased systolic blood pressure relative to the low amount of blood flowing into the peripheral arteries.
This phenomenon can occur in several medical conditions, including cardiac tamponade, a potentially life-threatening condition where excess fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. The increased intra-pericardial pressure prevents the heart from expanding fully during diastole, leading to diminished cardiac output and subsequently weak and imperceptible peripheral pulses.
Pulsus vacuus can also be associated with severe aortic stenosis, a heart valve disorder characterized by narrowing of the aortic valve. The decreased blood flow through the stenotic valve leads to a reduced volume of blood being pumped into the systemic circulation, resulting in diminished peripheral pulses.
The identification of pulsus vacuus during physical examination can provide valuable diagnostic information, assisting healthcare professionals in identifying underlying cardiovascular conditions. Monitoring the patient's symptoms and vital signs while assessing the pulse strength can help to guide further investigations and determine appropriate treatment strategies.
A very weak pulse hardly distending the arterial wall.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "pulsus vacuus" has its origins in Latin. "Pulsus" means "pulse" or "beating", while "vacuus" translates to "empty" or "void". Therefore, the literal translation of "pulsus vacuus" is "empty pulse" or "void pulse". In the medical context, it refers to a weak or weakly palpable pulse, also known as a "collapsed pulse". The term is commonly used in discussions of cardiovascular or circulatory conditions.