Features

Subpulse is the magnitude of a pulse that is below the detectable level by an average medical professional. A subpulse can present across a spectrum of patients but is more likely to occur in the most critically ill patients. Subpulses are typically associated with heart and vascular disease, dehydration, trauma, anatomical variation, or other low pulse states. Failure to detect a subpulse can have catastrophic implications by prolonging the time to definitive care or pronouncing death with a perfusing, difficult-to-detect pulse.