Question

Water hammer pulse is seen in

• A. Aortic regurgitation
• B. Mitral stenosis
• C. Aortic stenosis
• D. Left ventricular failure

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Water hammer pulse is associated with an abnormally bounding pulse that is characterized by a rapid rise and fall. This type of pulse is most commonly observed in the condition known as aortic regurgitation.

Explanation:

Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve does not close completely, leading to the backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. This results in a few physiological changes:

• Increased stroke volume, as the left ventricle tries to compensate for the regurgitation by pumping more blood.
• Rapid runoff of blood from the aorta into peripheral vessels, contributing to the quickly rising and collapsing nature of the pulse.
• This resultant high pulse pressure is felt as a bounding pulse, also referred to as a ‘water hammer pulse’ or Corrigan's pulse.

Therefore, the correct condition associated with a water hammer pulse is aortic regurgitation.

Condition	Pulse Characteristic
Aortic regurgitation	Water hammer pulse
Mitral stenosis	Reduced pulse pressure
Aortic stenosis	Narrow pulse pressure
Left ventricular failure	Weak pulse