Radio-Femoral Delay

Overview

• A significant delay between the radial and femoral pulse suggests aortic coarctation distal to the left subclavian artery.

• • How to Elicit

  • Palpate the radial and femoral pulses (on the left or right) at the same time. If there is radio-femoral delay, the femoral pulse will be slightly later than the radial pulse.