Figure 1

Representative normal and abnormal peripheral arterial tonometry traces. The tracings represent the pulse wave amplitude from a fingertip over a 15-minute period. The y axis is pulse wave amplitude in arbitrary units (derived from millivolts). The top trace was taken from a control subject whose reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry; (RH-PAT) index was 1.98, and the bottom from a severe sepsis subject whose RH-PAT index was 1.16. The horizontal axis is time. The first shaded section is averaged as a baseline signal. The middle section is arterial occlusion, with consequent loss of the pulse wave signal. The final section is the pulse wave amplitude following release of the cuff. The random vertical spikes are movement artefacts. In the top trace there is reactive hyperaemia, with an increase in average pulse wave amplitude. The shaded post-occlusion section is compared with the shaded baseline section to give a ratio -- the RH-PAT index.