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3 . 2026

Nikolay S. Korotkov (1874–1920) and the world’s first preoperative “Determination of the strength of arterial collaterals” by studying reactive hyperemia and measuring blood pressure by the sound method

Abstract

Background. The relevance of this study is determined by the significance and relatively low awareness of N.S. Korotkov’s priorities described in his dissertation “Experience in determining the strength of arterial collaterals”, the content analysis of which from the point of view of angiology and cardiovascular surgery has not yet been conducted.

Objective. To confirm the priority of Russian surgeon and scientist N.S. Korotkov in the fields of angiology, cardiology and vascular surgery through a content analysis of his doctoral dissertation and to show the historical and medical significance of the results he obtained.

Material and methods. N.S. Korotkov’s dissertation “Experience in determining the strength of arterial collaterals” (1910) and materials from periodicals have been studied using historical-genetic, chronological, comparative, and retrospective methods.

Results. N.S. Korotkov identified a number of priorities based on his clinical observations of the ligation of major arteries in the extremities in cases of traumatic aneurysms of various locations that occurred after combat vascular injuries. It was established that N.S. Korotkov was the first to describe a method for determining the degree of development (“strength”) of arterial collaterals in order to make a preoperative prediction of the success of arterial trunk ligation: a) by the shape of the sphygmogram (pulse wave), b) by the characteristic change in its appearance after external compression of the aneurysm, and c) by the level of blood pressure in the peripheral arteries, determined by reactive hyperemia. It was shown that during the research process, the author discovered sounds that appear and disappear at a certain blood pressure during dynamic compression of the arteries. N.S. Korotkov’s priorities also include the idea of reduced blood circulation, which was developed by V.A. Oppel, as well as the description of methods for preserving the viability of ischemic tissues, among others.

Conclusion. N.S. Korotkov’s comprehensive method allowed him to establish indications for and contraindications to performing arterial ligation surgery in cases of traumatic aneurysms, leaving it only for those patients where the underdeveloped collateral circulation poses a risk of gangrene in the distal parts of the limb. The “sound phenomenon” discovered by the author later became the basis for the sound method of measuring blood pressure in humans. Thus, not only were a number of N.S. Korotkov’s priorities proven, but their significance for modern angiology, cardiology, and cardiovascular surgery was also confirmed.

Keywords:N.S. Korotkov; traumatic aneurysm; arterial ligation; collateral circulation; reactive hyperemia; blood pressure; treatment and prevention of tissue ischemia

Authors’ contribution. Study conception and design – Glyantsev S.P.; data collection and handling – Petrova M.N.; draft manuscript preparation – Petrova M.N., Yalyshev M.R.; manuscript revision – Yalyshev M.R., Glyantsev S.P.

Acknowledgements. The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to A.V. Danilova, Head of the Library of the Kursk State Medical University, for providing the opportunity to read the N.S. Korotkov’s dissertation kept in the Library’s holdings, as well as to N.A. Nikishina, Associate Professor of the Department of Histology, Embryology and Cytology of the mentioned University, and S.A. Smirnova, specialist of the Organizational and Methodological Department of the National Medical Research Center of Surgery named after A.V. Vishnevsky, for help in searching for archival material.

For citation: Glyantsev S.P., Petrova M.N., Yalyshev M.R. Nikolay S. Korotkov (1874–1920) and the world’s first preoperative “Determination of the strength of arterial collaterals” by studying reactive hyperemia and measuring blood pressure by the sound method. Angiology and Vascular Surgery. Journal named after Academician A.V. Pokrovsky. 2026; 32 (3): 8–17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33029/1027-6661-2026-32-3-8-17

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CHIEF EDITOR
CHIEF EDITOR
Yuri V. Belov
Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, President of the Russian Society of Angiologists and Vascular Surgeons

 

In accordance with the decision of the Presidium of the Russian Society of Angiologists and Vascular Surgeons, the journal "Angiology and Vascular Surgery" will be named after Academician A.V. Pokrovsky starting from No. 2/2022.

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