Using the auscultation method based on Korotkoff sounds is a gold standard for clinical BP measurement. It is essentially important to know what causes the sounds.
Some research suggests the turbulent blood flow when cuff pressure is between systolic and diastolic BP. Others suggest the pulse oscillation or the combination of two aspects.
How are the Korotkoff sounds produced?
One hundred years after Kortokoff we are not sure, yet.
The K sounds are most likely caused by the so -called water-hammer effect. An effect known from eg sailing. When the sail cathces wind, it is suddenly streched, resulting in flapping sound.
As long as the vessel wall is unloaded underneath the cuff, during part of the interbeat interval, the vessel wall will suddenly strech during systole. . Once the vessel wall is stretched during the entire heart cycle (ie below diastolic pressures), the sounds will disappear.,
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Biochemistry
- Biomolecules
- Peptides