Which pulse finding is associated with coarctation of the aorta?

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Multiple Choice

Which pulse finding is associated with coarctation of the aorta?

Explanation:
Coarctation of the aorta creates a narrowing after the vessels that supply the head and arms, so pressure builds up in the upper body while flow to the lower body drops. That results in strong, bounding pulses in the arms and weak, diminished pulses in the legs. A notable sign is the difference between upper and lower extremity pulses, often with a delay in femoral versus radial pulses. This pattern—strong upper-extremity pulses with weak lower-extremity pulses—best fits the typical hemodynamics of coarctation.

Coarctation of the aorta creates a narrowing after the vessels that supply the head and arms, so pressure builds up in the upper body while flow to the lower body drops. That results in strong, bounding pulses in the arms and weak, diminished pulses in the legs. A notable sign is the difference between upper and lower extremity pulses, often with a delay in femoral versus radial pulses. This pattern—strong upper-extremity pulses with weak lower-extremity pulses—best fits the typical hemodynamics of coarctation.

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