Coarctation of the aorta typically presents with which blood pressure pattern?

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Multiple Choice

Coarctation of the aorta typically presents with which blood pressure pattern?

Explanation:
Coarctation of the aorta creates resistance to blood flow to the lower body, so the pressure proximal to the narrowing rises while distal pressure falls. This produces a pattern where the upper extremities have higher blood pressure than the lower extremities, often with delayed or weak femoral pulses. In practice, measuring blood pressure in all limbs and noting a significant arm–leg gradient (typically more than about 20 mmHg) supports this diagnosis.

Coarctation of the aorta creates resistance to blood flow to the lower body, so the pressure proximal to the narrowing rises while distal pressure falls. This produces a pattern where the upper extremities have higher blood pressure than the lower extremities, often with delayed or weak femoral pulses. In practice, measuring blood pressure in all limbs and noting a significant arm–leg gradient (typically more than about 20 mmHg) supports this diagnosis.

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