A patient presents signs of flushing and pulsating of the nail beds (Quincke pulse). He was also noted to have a bounding radial pulse. These typical findings are related to which of the following cardiovascular disorders?
Explanation
Answer - D - Aortic regurgitation is a condition where there is a backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle. This condition results from the incompetent closure of the aortic valve due to disease trauma of the aorta, or valvular abnormalities. Signs and symptoms are related to increased fluid volume and increased pressure in the left ventricle in order to overcome the regurgitated blood.
Quincke pulse and bounding radial pulse are more common in chronic aortic regurgitation. Other signs include widening pulse pressure, elevated stroke volume, systolic pulsation of the retinal arterioles (Becker sign), systolic murmur (proximal compression), and diastolic murmur (distal compression) over the femoral artery (Duroziez sign); also includes systolic pulsations of the uvula (Muller sign), bobbing motion of the head during each heartbeat (de Musset sign), and booming sounds over the femoral artery (Traube sign).
