The detection of peripheral venous pulsation using the pulse oximeter as a plethysmograph
Abstract
The pulse oximeter can serve as a sensitive photoelectric plethysmograph in the operating room. It was noted in several cases that the plethysmographic waveform showed a high degree of variability during diastole. Three patients are described with discrete diastolic peaks on the plethysmograph. Further investigation revealed that these diastolic peaks appear to correlate with peripheral venous pulsation, which seems to have a central venous origin. Evidence is presented that the plethysmographic detection of the venous-pulse may be useful in estimating the changing volume status of the patient.
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The venous system contributes periodicity to the PPG signal, but this is often considered noise.
“The venous system similarly contributes periodicity to the PPG signal, but this is often considered noise.”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [116]
Changes to diastolic amplitude due to the presence of the venous waveform can increase diastolic phase amplitude up to 40% of the total alternating amplitude of the PPG signal.
“It appears that changes to diastolic amplitude due to the presence of the venous waveform can increase diastolic phase amplitude up to 40% of the total alternating amplitude of the PPG signal.”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [116]
Diastole variability in the PPG signal is related to peripheral venous pulsation.
“Shelley et al. demonstrates diastole variability in the PPG signal is related to peripheral venous pulsation [116].”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [116]
Venous pulsations have been shown to artificially inflate the systolic peak amplitude and interfere with the rising systolic edge of the typical PPG waveform.
“They have been shown to artificially inflate the systolic peak amplitude and interfere with the rising systolic edge of the typical PPG waveform; an important parameter used in cardiovascular health determination [116].”
From Sources of inaccuracy in photoplethysmography for continuous cardiovascular monitoring (2021) · cites this paper as [116]
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- Authors
- Shelley, K. H., Dickstein, M., & Shulman, S. M.
- Affiliations
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Columbia University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Monitoring
- Published
- 1993-09
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 283-287
- ISSN
- 1387-1307 (ISSN-L)
- 0748-1977
- 1573-2614
- OpenAlex
- W2065036059
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Hemodynamic Monitoring and Therapy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
- Keywords
- pulse oximeter, plethysmography, operating room monitoring, photoelectric plethysmography
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Oximetry, Plethysmography, Pulse, Veins
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