Which pulse finding is classically associated with aortic regurgitation?

Which pulse finding is classically associated with aortic regurgitation?

• A. Pulsus paradoxus
• B. Water hammer pulse
• C. Pulsus alternans
• D. Pulsus bisferiens

Answer: (B)

Aortic regurgitation causes a wide pulse pressure with a vigorous, rapid ejection followed by quick runoff of blood back into the left ventricle during diastole. This combination produces a bounding, forceful peripheral pulse, known as a water hammer pulse (Corrigan pulse)—a pulse with a strong upstroke and a rapid collapse. This classic finding directly reflects the high systolic pressure and low diastolic pressure that AR creates. Other pulse types point to different situations: pulsus paradoxus occurs with tamponade or severe airway obstruction; pulsus alternans indicates severely reduced cardiac function with alternating strong and weak beats; pulsus bisferiens shows two systolic peaks and can be seen in AR with concomitant aortic stenosis or certain cardiomyopathies.

Aortic regurgitation causes a wide pulse pressure with a vigorous, rapid ejection followed by quick runoff of blood back into the left ventricle during diastole. This combination produces a bounding, forceful peripheral pulse, known as a water hammer pulse (Corrigan pulse)—a pulse with a strong upstroke and a rapid collapse. This classic finding directly reflects the high systolic pressure and low diastolic pressure that AR creates.

Other pulse types point to different situations: pulsus paradoxus occurs with tamponade or severe airway obstruction; pulsus alternans indicates severely reduced cardiac function with alternating strong and weak beats; pulsus bisferiens shows two systolic peaks and can be seen in AR with concomitant aortic stenosis or certain cardiomyopathies.