Oscillography and digital pulse plethysmography in occlusive disease of the subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk. A pre- and postoperative study.

Patients with occlusive disease of the subclavian artery or brachiocephalic trunk were examined by oscillography (17 cases) and digital pulse plethysmography (19 cases) before and after reconstruction of the occluded vessel. Before surgery the oscillographic amplitudes were significantly lower on the occluded than the contralateral arm, with no difference between the registration levels. Shape analysis of the digital pulse curve recordings gave significant differences in all variables, between the occluded and the contralateral arm, inclination time and RAMP25 being most sensitive. Idential studies repeated up to 6 months after surgery demonstrated a marked increase in oscillometric amplitudes at all levels on the operated side. In the digital pulse-curve recordings the greatest improvement was found in inclination time and RAMP25.