Peripheral Vascular

Question 1

Characteristics of arterial pulse

Answer 1

Stroke volume (amount blood ejected), viscosity, peripheral resistance, distensibility of aorta & large arteries, cardiac emptying rate

Question 2

Jugular venous pressure (JVP)

Answer 2

means of estimating right atrial pressure. Right heart failure will increase JVP

Question 3

Central venous pressure (CVP)

Answer 3

JVP + 5 = CVP

Normal CVP is 7 or less, upper limit is 9.

Question 4

Pulsus alterans

Answer 4

A variation in pulse amplitude occurring with alternate beats due to changing systolic pressure. Most common cause is left ventricular failure

Question 5

Pulsus bigeminus

Answer 5

Normal pulse followed by a premature beat (due to premature ventricular contraction)

Question 6

Pulsus bisferiens

Answer 6

Characterized by two systolic peaks of the left ventricular ejection separated by a midsystolic dip, caused by rapid left ventricular ejection followed by a tidal wave thought to be caused by a reflected wave from the periphery. A double peak per cardiac cycle can be appreciated

Question 7

Pulsus pardoxus

Answer 7

the exaggerated drop in systemic blood pressure of greater than 10 mmHg during inspiration. Most commonly seen in patients with cardiac tamponade, less commonly with constrictive pericarditis

Question 8

Pulse deficit

Answer 8

difference between auscultated pulse at the apex of the heart and the palpated pulse on the periphery. Often occurs when the ventricle doesn’t eject enough blood to produce a pulse wave in the artery.

Question 9

Bruit

Answer 9

A bruit is an unexpected audible swishing sound or murmur over an artery or vascular organ. It may reflect blood flow turbulence and indicate vascular disease.