A study of the venous pulse in tricuspid valve disease

Diagnosis of lesions of the tricuspid valve is often difficult. Mechanically, however, the action of this valve is capable of study through its effect upon the peripheral veins, somewhat as the disturbances of the aortic valve are reflected in the peripheral arteries. The conditions to be differentiated are "organic" versus "functional" regurgitation, and obstruction of the valve from rheumatic stenosis. Graphic records of the venous pulse with suitable reference tracings may make this possible.