A STUDY OF THE BLOOD PRESSURE BY THE METHOD OF GAERTNER, ESPECIALLY IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM FIBRILLATION OF THE AURICLES

The function of the arteries as an elastic reservoir between the heart and the capillaries is reviewed. The appropriateness of selecting the exit from this reservoir as the point for estimating its effective pressure is shown. The technique for taking the pressure here by the method of Gaertner is described and its advantage and certain apparent disadvantages are indicated. The technique of Gaertner is shown to be especially applicable to the study of the blood pressure in fibrillation of the auricles. The use of this technique has brought out a defect in the so called fractional method of taking the pressure in this condition; the brachial and digital curves cross. Taking pressure of both brachial and digital arteries has shown that certain different types exist; first, that in which both central and peripheral pressures are stable; second, that in which the more central pressure is stable and the peripheral pressure fluctuates; and third, that in which both pressures fluctuate together.