What Happens in Auscultatory Gap?

The auscultatory gap, a transient disappearance of Korotkoff sounds between systolic and diastolic pressures during blood pressure cuff deflation, is thought to cause underestimation of true systolic blood pressure; its prognostic and pathophysiologic correlates have not been well described.

What does auscultatory gap indicate?

An auscultatory gap, also known as the silent gap, is a period of diminished or absent Korotkoff sounds during the manual measurement of blood pressure. It is associated with reduced peripheral blood flow caused by changes in the pulse wave.

Where is the auscultatory gap?

The auscultatory gap, "le trou auscultatoire" of the French, is that interval of absolute or relative silence occasionally found on listening over an artery during deflation of the blood pressure cuff; it usually begins at a variable point below the systolic pressure and continues for from 10 to 50 mm.