EVIDENCE FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF PERIPHERAL RESISTANCE IN COARCTATION OF THE AORTA: REPORT OF THREE CASES

Abstract

Arterial pressure was measured simultaneously in the radial and femoral arteries in 3 cases of coarctation of the aorta by means of Hamilton''s intra-arterial manometers. Although systolic pressure was low and pulse pressure small in the femoral artery, diastolic pressure was relatively high (98-120 mm Hg) and approx. at the level found in the radial artery. Peripheral resistance is evidently increased to roughly the same extent in the lower as in the upper extremities in coarctation of the aorta. The fact that peripheral resistance is increased throughout the body and not limited to the upper half, as has been commonly believed, removes an objection to the notion that hypertension in this disease may be due to diminished renal blood flow.