Asymmetric blood pressures are typically seen in which condition?

Asymmetric blood pressures are typically associated with congenital narrowing of the aorta, a condition known as coarctation of the aorta. In this condition, there is a narrowing of the aorta, which can lead to differences in blood pressure readings between the arms and the legs or between various parts of the body. The upper extremities (arms) may have higher blood pressure readings compared to the lower extremities (legs) due to the obstruction caused by the narrowing. This phenomenon can be crucial for diagnosing coarctation and determining the severity of the condition.

In contrast, other listed conditions like coronary artery disease primarily affect the heart's blood supply rather than causing asymmetric pressures in the limbs. Diffuse atherosclerosis can lead to generalized vascular disease and might affect blood pressure, but it does not typically cause pronounced asymmetry. Vasculitis involves inflammation of blood vessels and can affect blood flow but does not usually lead to the specific pattern of asymmetric blood pressures seen with aortic coarctation.