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Findings on clinical examination depend on the severity and duration of MR. The mitral component of the first heart sound is usually soft and with a laterally displaced apex beat, [6] often with heave. [7] The first heart sound is followed by a high-pitched holosystolic murmur at the apex, radiating to the back or clavicular area. [6]
The apex beat is assessed for size, amplitude, location, impulse and duration. There are specific terms to describe the sensation such as tapping, heaving and thrusting. Often the apex beat is felt diffusely over a large area, in this case the most inferior and lateral position it can be felt in should be described as well as the location of ...
The apex beat may also be displaced by other conditions: Pleural or pulmonary diseases; Deformities of the chest wall or the thoracic vertebrae; Sometimes, the apex beat may not be palpable, either due to a thick chest wall, or conditions where the stroke volume is reduced; such as during ventricular tachycardia or shock.
Pansystolic (Holosystolic) murmur along lower left sternal border (depending upon the size of the defect) +/- palpable thrill (palpable turbulence of blood flow). Heart sounds are normal. Larger VSDs may cause a parasternal heave, a displaced apex beat (the palpable heartbeat moves laterally over time, as the heart enlarges).
The presence of a murmur at the apex can be misinterpreted as mitral regurgitation. However, the apical murmur of the Gallavardin phenomenon does not radiate to the left axilla and is accentuated by a slowing of the heart rate (such as a compensatory pause after a premature beat) whereas the mitral regurgitation murmur does not change. [2]
The head of the bed is usually at a 30 degree upward angle. Usually the health care provider is standing to the right of the person they are examining. [3] Below are positional changes that one may use: Left lateral decubitus (lying on the left side). This will decrease the distance from wall of the chest to the apex of the heart.
This impaired filling causes the increased blood flow to back up into the venous system, causing the jugular vein distention (JVD) and is seen clinically in the internal jugular veins becoming more readily visible.
This is the most common cause of late systolic murmurs. It can be heard best over the apex of the heart, usually preceded by clicks. The most common cause of mitral valve prolapse is "floppy" valve (Barlow's) syndrome. If the prolapse becomes severe enough, mitral regurgitation may occur.