Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Brachial Artery Palpation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With the patient's arm slightly flexed, palpate the brachial artery with the pads of two fingers in the antecubital fossa just medial to the biceps tendon, or along the medial upper arm in the groove between biceps and triceps. Assess the strength and contour of the pulse.

How to Interpret

Showing all 1 finding

Aortic Stenosis

Brachioradial delay
Rule in
—
Rule out
Very helpful
Evidence:Limited

References

  • Leach RM, McBrien DJ. Brachioradial delay: a new clinical indicator of the severity of aortic stenosis. Lancet. 1990;335(8688):1199-1201. PMID 1971044.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Diagnoses

Aortic Stenosis

Related Systems / Regions

CardiovascularUpper Extremities

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Blood Pressure
Rule in:VHAortic Regurgitation, VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HAcute Aortic Dissection +11 more
Rule out:VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HLow-output State (Low Cardiac Index) Within Established Chronic Heart Failure, SHAcute Aortic Dissection +10 more
🔒Sign in
Cardiac Auscultation
Rule in:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHeart Failure, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction +34 more
Rule out:VHAortic Stenosis, VHHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Obstruction, SHAortic Regurgitation +33 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Carotid Artery Palpation
Rule in:HAortic Stenosis, HTakayasu Arteritis, SHAortic Dissection +7 more
Rule out:SHAortic Stenosis, IEAortic Regurgitation, IECarotid Artery Stenosis +5 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Jugular Venous Pressure
Rule in:VHHypovolemia, HHeart Failure, HRight Ventricular Infarction +8 more
Rule out:HRight Ventricular Infarction, SHHypovolemia, SHPulmonary Hypertension +8 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Point of Maximal Impulse
aka Apical impulse; apex beat
Rule in:VHLeft Ventricular Dilation, HLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy, SHCardiomegaly +7 more
Rule out:VHLeft Ventricular Dilation, SHLeft Ventricular Hypertrophy, MHCardiomegaly +7 more
🎬Video coming Sept 2026
Abdomen Palpation
Rule in:VHAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm, VHPyloric Stenosis, VHSigmoid Diverticulitis +29 more
Rule out:SHCholecystitis, SHHepatomegaly, MHAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +28 more