PULSUS VACUUS Meaning and
Definition
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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.
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A very weak pulse hardly distending the arterial wall.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PULSUS VACUUS
- oulsus vacuus
- lulsus vacuus
- -ulsus vacuus
- 0ulsus vacuus
- pylsus vacuus
- phlsus vacuus
- pjlsus vacuus
- pilsus vacuus
- p8lsus vacuus
- p7lsus vacuus
- puksus vacuus
- pupsus vacuus
- puosus vacuus
- pulaus vacuus
- pulzus vacuus
- pulxus vacuus
- puldus vacuus
- puleus vacuus
- pulwus vacuus
- pulsys vacuus
Etymology of PULSUS VACUUS
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.
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