The dicrotic notch is a prominent and distinctive feature of the pressure waveform in the central arteries. It is universally used to demarcate the end of systole and the beginning of diastole in these arteries.Despite its importance clinically, no physical mechanism for the formation of the dicrotic notch has been demonstrated convincingly. A new hypothesis is presented involving the acceleration of the aortic valve apparatus at the time of valve closure. This hypothesis is supported by new calculations of the acceleration of the aortic valve apparatus during the cardiac cycle based on computed tomography scans in man.
The position of the dicrotic notch throughout the cardiac activity differs as per the duration of aortic closure. Thank you.