Duroziez's sign

A clinical sign associated with aortic regurgitation

Duroziez's sign

Diagram of the heart showing the aortic valve

Duroziez's sign is a clinical sign that is indicative of aortic regurgitation. It is named after the French physician Paul Duroziez, who first described it.

Description

Duroziez's sign is characterized by a double sound heard over the femoral artery when it is compressed with a stethoscope. This sign is elicited by placing the stethoscope over the femoral artery and applying gentle pressure with the bell of the stethoscope. The double sound, also known as "pistol-shot" sounds, is due to the turbulent flow of blood caused by the regurgitation of blood from the aorta back into the left ventricle during diastole.

Mechanism

The mechanism behind Duroziez's sign involves the hemodynamic changes associated with aortic regurgitation. In aortic regurgitation, the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the left ventricle during diastole. This results in increased stroke volume and a widened pulse pressure. The turbulent flow of blood in the femoral artery, when compressed, produces the characteristic double sound.

Clinical significance

Duroziez's sign is one of several peripheral signs of aortic regurgitation. It is used in conjunction with other clinical findings to diagnose the condition. Other signs include Corrigan's pulse, Quincke's sign, and Traube's sign. The presence of Duroziez's sign can help confirm the diagnosis of aortic regurgitation, especially in the context of other clinical findings.

Related pages

• Aortic regurgitation
• Heart sounds
• Cardiac auscultation
• Paul Duroziez