Why Is There an Auscultatory Gap?

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.

When is the auscultatory gap heard?

In patients with hypertension, a silent interval called the “auscultatory gap”; may occur between the end of the first and the beginning of the third phases of Korotkoff sounds. In patients with geriatric hypertension, there appears to be a greater incidence and severity of an auscultatory gap.

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. of mercury.