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Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Causes of a wide pulse pressure include:

  • the rapid run-off of blood from the aorta or its branches as occurs in conditions such as aortic valve regurgitation, patent ductus arteriosus and arteriovenous fistula

  • in high output states such as thyrotoxicosis, Paget's disease and wet beri-beri

  • increased left ventricular stroke volume e.g. aortic regurgitation and sinus bradycardia

  • where there is peripheral vasodilatation e.g. carbon dioxide retention

  • conditions where there is increased rigidity of the aorta e.g. atherosclerosis; if a large amplitude pulse occurs in an elderly individual then it is likely to be the result of atherosclerosis of the aorta

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