Mayne's sign

Mayne's sign is a clinical sign in which there is a decrease in the blood pressure of 15 mmHg or more when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. This sign is often indicative of cardiovascular disease, specifically aortic insufficiency or aortic regurgitation.

Overview

Mayne's sign was named after the Irish physician, Arthur Ernest Sansom, who first described it in 1887. The sign is a measure of the change in blood pressure that occurs when a person changes position from lying or sitting to standing. This change in blood pressure is due to the body's response to the change in gravity and the need to maintain blood flow to the brain.

Clinical Significance

Mayne's sign is used in the diagnosis of aortic insufficiency or aortic regurgitation, conditions in which the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the left ventricle of the heart. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

In patients with these conditions, the decrease in blood pressure upon standing is greater than in healthy individuals. This is due to the increased blood volume in the left ventricle, which is not effectively pumped out of the heart when the aortic valve is insufficient.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Mayne's sign is made by measuring the blood pressure in both the sitting or lying and standing positions. A decrease of 15 mmHg or more in the systolic blood pressure upon standing is indicative of the sign.

Treatment

Treatment for conditions associated with Mayne's sign typically involves managing the underlying aortic insufficiency or aortic regurgitation. This may include medication to reduce the workload of the heart, surgical repair or replacement of the aortic valve, or lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

See Also

• Orthostatic hypotension
• Aortic insufficiency
• Aortic regurgitation
• Blood pressure

Mayne's sign Resources
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