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Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed of utilizing a source of arterial and/or arteriolar pulse waveform data from a patient for the purpose of measuring pulsus paradoxus. The arterial pulse waveform data source described is a pulse oximeter plethysmograph but can be any similar waveform data source, including intra-arterial transducer, blood pressure transducer, or plethysmograph. Through incorporation of the measurements of values, such as the area under the pulse waveform curve, that are time-domain functions of a change in height of the pulse waveform over at least a partial duration of the waveform, embodiments of the present invention represent a significant improvement upon previously described methods of measuring pulsus paradoxus and, further, produce improved accuracy in measurement of the multiple contributing variables generating pulsus paradoxus, in particular the contribution of diastolic events, to the extent that the physical signs so measured can be regarded as 'Revised Pulsus Paradoxus.'

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First Claim