Corrigan’s Pulse

A large, bounding carotid pulse seen in aortic regurgitation, high-output physiology (sepsis, liver disease, wet beriberi, etc.), and coarctation of aorta.

Patient 1:

This is an older man with an aortic root aneurysm complicated by moderate to severe aortic regurgitation.

This patient also has a classic murmur, bounding peripheral pulse, bisferiens pulse, and de Musset’s sign.

Patient 2:

This is a middle-aged woman with a history of thoracic aortic aneurysm complicated by a type A dissection status-post valve-sparing aortic root replacement, who has subsequently developed moderate to severe aortic regurgitation.

This patient also has a decrescendo diastolic murmur over Erb’s point and Quincke’s pulse.

Patient 3:

This is a middle-age man who was admitted to the hospital with cardiogenic shock of unclear etiology. He was discovered to have Corrigan’s pulse on exam, which led to the discovery of Quincke’s pulse, radial-femoral pulse delay, and discrepant blood pressures between the upper and lower extremities. He was subsequently diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta.

This patient also has Quincke’s pulse, vigorous peripheral pulses in the upper extremities, radial-femoral pulse delay, and a systolic murmur

Patient 4:

This is a young woman who presented with chest pain and dyspnea. She had discordant peripheral pulses and blood pressure readings between the upper and lower extremities, and was ultimately found to have severe coarctation of the aorta.