A 62-year-old man comes to the physician for decreased exercise tolerance. Over the past four months, he has noticed progressively worsening shortness of breath while walking his dog. He also becomes short of breath when lying in bed at night. Cardiac examination shows a high-pitched, decrescendo murmur that occurs immediately after S2 and is heard best along the left sternal border. There is an S3 gallop. Carotid pulses are strong. which of the following findings is most likely to be present on further evaluation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) causes a reduction in diastolic blood pressure and a compensatory increase in left ventricular stroke volume.  These changes create a high-amplitude, rapid rise-rapid fall pulsation (ie, widened pulse pressure) and the other characteristic findings of AR (eg, head bobbing, "pistol-shot" femoral pulses).

A 62-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician for Decreased Exercise