Which observation is not observed with femoral arterial dissection?

• A. Decreased BP
• B. No change in BP
• C. Fluctuating BP
• D. Increased BP

Answer: (D)

When a femoral arterial dissection occurs, the tear creates a false lumen and can compromise the true lumen, leading to reduced distal flow. This mismatch in perfusion often shows up as lower or unstable pressures rather than a rise in pressure. The body may compensate variably, so you can see decreased blood pressure, or it can fluctuate if the flap intermittently narrows or if there’s evolving thrombosis or bleeding at the site. In some cases the pressure may appear unchanged if the dissection is minor or well compensated. But a sustained increase in blood pressure is not a typical consequence of a femoral arterial dissection, since the issue is a local impairment of flow rather than an overall rise in systemic vascular resistance or cardiac output.