In a healthy adult with normal aortic compliance, which factor is the primary determinant of arterial pulse pressure?

• A Stroke volume ✓
• B Total peripheral resistance
• C Blood viscosity
• D Heart rate

Explanation

Pulse pressure equals the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, and it rises and falls directly with the volume of blood ejected into the aorta during systole. Total peripheral resistance mainly determines mean arterial pressure and diastolic pressure rather than the pulse width. Blood viscosity alters resistance and flow but has little direct effect on pulsatile pressure amplitude. Heart rate changes diastolic interval and hence diastolic pressure secondarily, but stroke volume remains the dominant determinant.

Reference: Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.

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