dicrotic pulse

Conditions associated with low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance can produce a dicrotic pulse.

A dicrotic pulse is a type of pulse characterized by a percussion wave in systole and a prominent dicrotic wave in diastole.

Moreover, conditions associated with low systemic vascular resistance and a compliant aorta (e.g. sepsis) can also produce a dicrotic pulse, although the mechanism is not entirely understood.

In contrast to an anacrotic or bisferiens pulse, the 2 peaks in a dicrotic pulse occur in systole and diastole (as opposed to both occurring in systole).