Corrigan's pulse

Corrigan's pulse is a medical term that refers to a rapid and forceful pulse that quickly collapses. It is named after Sir Dominic Corrigan, an Irish physician who first described the condition in relation to aortic regurgitation, a heart valve disease.

Overview

Corrigan's pulse is characterized by a rapid and forceful beating of the heart that quickly collapses. This is often associated with aortic regurgitation, a condition where the heart's aortic valve doesn't close tightly, allowing some of the blood that was just pumped out of the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) to leak back into it.

Causes

The primary cause of Corrigan's pulse is aortic regurgitation. This can occur due to several reasons including:

• Congenital heart defects
• Endocarditis
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Aortic dissection
• Marfan syndrome

Symptoms

The symptoms of Corrigan's pulse can vary depending on the severity of the aortic regurgitation. Some common symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Swelling in the ankles and feet

Diagnosis

Corrigan's pulse can be diagnosed through a physical examination by a healthcare provider. They may also use diagnostic tests such as:

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac MRI

Treatment

The treatment for Corrigan's pulse primarily involves addressing the underlying cause, which is usually aortic regurgitation. This can involve:

• Medication
• Surgery
• Lifestyle changes

See also

• Water hammer pulse
• Pulsus bisferiens
• Pulsus paradoxus

References

Corrigan's pulse Resources
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