Normally the arterial wall is impalpable and it may be palpable in old age due to atherosclerotic changes. The artery becomes tortuous and it feels like a cord in atherosclerosis this is also known as Monckeberg's medial sclerosis ( which is characterised by the calcification of the media of large arteries),If there is thickened and tortuous artery are present, one may observe locomotor brachialis.
This is assessed by :
1.First place your index and middle fingers of both the left and right hand over the radial artery side by side and then exsanguinate the artery by moving the two middle fingers in opposite direction. The radial artery is now rolled over the radius by two index fingers, or
2.You can also compress the brachial artery above the elbow by ball of your left thumb (that is making a bloodless column) and now roll the radial artery over radius by index and middle fingers of the right hand.
Condition of the vessel wall can be assessed by the palpation of the radial artery
- Normal vessel wall is - soft
- Thickened vessel feel as firm to hard and cord like
- Atherosclerosis
- Monckeberg's medial calcific sclerosis
What are the causes of absent radial pulse :
- Anatomical abnormality.
- Severe atherosclerosis.
- Takayasu's disease.
- Embolism in the radial artery.
