A 46-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me what "femoral pulses to exclude aortic coarctation" mean?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Payam Mehranpouranswered
Internal Medicine - Cardiology 25 years experience
Coarctation: In coarctation of the aorta, femoral pulses are typically weak or absent with lower blood pressure in the lower extremities. Palpation of femoral pulses does not exclude this diagnosis though; i.e. Pulses are not always absent in aortic coarctation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Malpassanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes: Coarctation of the aorta (coa) refers to a heart defect characterized by a narrowing of the aorta that interferes with blood flow to the lower part of the body. This results in strong pulses in the arms (brachial pulse) but weak or absent pulses in the legs (femoral pulse). The finding of normal femoral pulses makes significant coa unlikely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 15, 2019
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