What does absent femoral pulses indicate?

Absent femoral pulses are a significant clinical finding that can suggest a disruption in normal blood flow, particularly related to the aorta. Coarctation of the aorta is a condition where there is a narrowing of the aorta, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the lower extremities. This narrowing often occurs just distal to the left subclavian artery, meaning that blood flow to the lower body can be compromised, leading to weak or absent pulses in the femoral arteries.

In contrast, the other conditions mentioned, such as ventricular septal defect, aortic stenosis, and pulmonary hypertension, typically do not present with absent femoral pulses. A ventricular septal defect primarily affects the blood flow between the heart's chambers rather than the systemic circulation to the extremities. Aortic stenosis may lead to diminished or weak pulses but typically does not result in absent pulses, especially in the context of the femoral arteries. Pulmonary hypertension involves elevated pressures in the pulmonary arteries and impacts the right side of the heart rather than the systemic arterial flow.

Thus, when interpreting absent femoral pulses, it is critical to consider conditions that directly affect the aorta's ability to deliver blood effectively to the lower limbs, making coarctation of