Peripheral pULSe Assessment and Arterial pRessure (PULSAR)

This prospective multicenter observational study aims to investigate the relationship between palpable peripheral pulses and simultaneously measured arterial blood pressure in adult patients with circulatory shock or impending circulatory failure. Peripheral pulse palpation is routinely used in emergency medicine, trauma care, critical care, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a rapid clinical assessment of circulation. However, the association between palpable pulses and actual arterial blood pressure remains poorly validated.

Patients treated in emergency departments, intensive care units, operating rooms, and other acute care settings will undergo routine pulse palpation at predefined anatomical locations including carotid, femoral, and radial arteries. Simultaneously measured non-invasive and/or invasive arterial blood pressure values will be recorded from routine clinical monitoring systems. Additional clinical variables relevant to circulatory status will also be collected.

The study seeks to define blood pressure thresholds associated with pulse palpability and evaluate the agreement between invasive and non-invasive blood pressure measurements in patients with circulatory shock.