Carotid Pulse Findings in Disease States

Flashcards based on carotid pulse findings in normal and disease states.

What characterizes a normal carotid pulse?

A rapid ascending and descending limb with a dicrotic notch during aortic valve closure.

What characterizes a hyperdynamic pulse?

A rapid, high-volume ascending and descending limb.

What is a Parvus/Tardus pulse with anacrotic notch associated with?

A small-amplitude pulse with a delayed systolic peak, often associated with Aortic Stenosis (AS).

What is pulsus alternans and what condition is it often seen in?

Beat-to-beat variation in arterial pulse amplitude, often seen with left ventricular dysfunction and low stroke volume (CHF).

Describe a pulsus bisferiens and what condition is it often seen with?

Two systolic peaks during systole (ejection/percussion wave and reflected/tidal wave). Often seen with isolated Aortic Regurgitation (AR) or combined AR and stenosis.

What is a dicrotic pulse and what conditions are they associated with?

A double-peaked pulse where the dicrotic notch is present in diastole just after S2, typically in patients with hypotension due to low CO or low SVR.

What is a spike and dome pulse and what is it associated with?

An initial rapid systolic peak followed by a lower-amplitude systolic peak, associated with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM).