Auscultatory gap
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An auscultatory gap is the interval of pressure where Korotkoff sounds indicating true systolic pressure fade away and reappear at a lower pressure point during the manual measurement of blood pressure. The inproper interpretation of this gap may lead to errors made in the falsely low recording of systolic blood pressure.
This gap usually occurs at a high-ish pressure and can be mistaken for the silence of a pressure greater than the SBP, except that the pulse can still be palpated. This is why it is greatly recommended to both palpate and auscultate the SBP.[1]
There is evidence that auscultatory gaps are related to carotid atherosclerosis and to increased arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients, independent of age. Although these observations need to be confirmed prospectively, they suggest that auscultatory gaps may have prognostic relevance. [2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://h2g2.bbc.co.uk
- ^ Cavallini, M. Chiara; et al. (1996-05-15). "Association of the Auscultatory Gap with Vascular Disease in Hypertensive Patients". Annals of Internal Medicine 124 (10): 877-883.
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