Which pulse finding is commonly associated with aortic regurgitation?

Which pulse finding is commonly associated with aortic regurgitation?

• A. Bounding pulses
• B. Weak, thready pulses
• C. Pulsus paradoxus
• D. Pulsus alternans

Answer: (A)

Aortic regurgitation creates a wide pulse pressure because blood rapidly leaks back into the left ventricle during diastole while a large stroke volume is ejected during systole. That combination pushes systolic pressure high and diastolic pressure lower, producing a bounding, forceful pulse known as a water-hammer or Corrigan pulse. You may feel a very brisk upstroke and a rapid fall in the carotid or peripheral arteries, sometimes with visible head bobbing. Other pulse findings don’t fit AR as well: pulsus paradoxus appears with tamponade, severe asthma, or COPD and reflects exaggerated changes with inspiration; pulsus alternans shows alternating strong and weak beats in advanced LV dysfunction; weak, thready pulses indicate low cardiac output or shock. The hallmark for AR is the bounding pulse from the wide pulse pressure.

Aortic regurgitation creates a wide pulse pressure because blood rapidly leaks back into the left ventricle during diastole while a large stroke volume is ejected during systole. That combination pushes systolic pressure high and diastolic pressure lower, producing a bounding, forceful pulse known as a water-hammer or Corrigan pulse. You may feel a very brisk upstroke and a rapid fall in the carotid or peripheral arteries, sometimes with visible head bobbing.

Other pulse findings don’t fit AR as well: pulsus paradoxus appears with tamponade, severe asthma, or COPD and reflects exaggerated changes with inspiration; pulsus alternans shows alternating strong and weak beats in advanced LV dysfunction; weak, thready pulses indicate low cardiac output or shock. The hallmark for AR is the bounding pulse from the wide pulse pressure.