Pulse Abnormalities - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm Unequal/DeIayed: • Obstructive arterial disease (ie. Atherosclerosis) • Aortic dissection • Aortic aneurysm • Aortic coarctation • Takayasu disease • Normal variant Pulsus Alternans - Variation in pulse amplitude with alternate beats: • Left heart failure Pulsus Paradoxus - Exaggerated inspiratory drop in arterial pressure >10mmHg: • Cardiac tamponade • AECOPD/ Acute Exacerbation of Asthma • Hypovolemic shock • Constrictive Pericarditis • Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Aortic Stenosis: • Anacrotic • Pulsus parvus (small amplitude) • Pulsus tardus (delayed/slow upstroke) Water Hammer Pulse - Rapid upstroke followed by rapid collapse: • Aortic regurgitation • High output states (ie. Anemia, hypoglycemia) #Pulse #Abnormalities #Disorders #Cardiology #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #causes
