Pulse Waveform Analysis as A Bridge between Pulse Examination in Chinese Medicine and Cardiology

作     者：Arthur de Sa Ferreira Agnaldo Jose Lopes 

作者机构：Postgraduation Program of Rehabilitation ScienceAugusto Motta University CenterRio de JaneiroRJBrazil Department of Physical TherapySalgado de Oliveira UniversityNiteroiRJBrazil Laboratory of Respiratory PhysiologyUniversity of the State of Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroRJBrazil 

出 版 物：《Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine》 (中国结合医学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2013年第19卷第4期

页      面：307-314页

核心收录：

学科分类：0831[工学-生物医学工程（可授工学、理学、医学学位）] 1007[医学-药学(可授医学、理学学位)] 1005[医学-中医学] 1002[医学-临床医学] 08[工学] 0836[工学-生物工程] 

主　　题：blood circulation palpation diagnosis Chinese medicine pulse waveform 

摘      要：Pulse examination was probably the earliest attempt to distinguish between health and illnesses. Starting at the pre-Hippocratic era, Chinese medicine practitioners developed techniques for pulse examination and defined pulse images based on their perceptions of pulse waveforms at the radial artery. Pulse images were described using basic variables （frequency, rhythm, wideness, length, deepness, and qualities） developed under philosophical trends such as Taoism and Confucianism. Recent advances in biomedical instrumentation applied to cardiology opened possibilities to research on pulse examination based on ancient Chinese medical theories： the pulse wave analysis. Although strongly influenced by philosophy, some characteristics used to describe a pulse image are interpretable as parameters obtained by pulse waveform analysis such as pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Those clinical parameters reflect concepts unique to Chinese medicine - such as yin- yang - while are based on wave reflection and resonance theories of fluids mechanics. Major limitations for integration of Chinese and Western pulse examination are related to quantitative description of pulse images and pattern differentiation based on pulse examination. Recent evidence suggests that wave reflection and resonance phenomena may bridge Chinese medicine and cardiologyto provide a more evidence-based medical practice.