Pulse volume recordings

Pulse volume recordings are most useful in detecting obstruction in calcified arteries in which falsely elevated pressure measurements are frequent.
- A normal PVR waveform is composed of a systolic upstroke with a sharp systolic peak followed by a downstroke that contains a prominent dicrotic notch.
- Mild to moderate disease is characterized by loss of the dicrotic notch and an outward "bowing" of the downstroke of the waveform.
- With severe disease, the amplitude of the waveform is blunted.