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Julia Logan Western Australia Phone : 089453 9637 after 6 pm Email : ckcs@bigpond.net.au
Kanu Chatterjee, MB, FRCP, FCCP, FACC, MACP INTRODUCTION Cardiac auscultation is one of the most useful investigative tools that the physician can use at the bedside to detect alterations in cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Further evaluation of the patient is based upon the characteristics of the murmur as well as the presence of symptoms.MURMUR DESCRIPTION The character of a murmur may be described by a number of features. Intensity/pitch — The intensity of a murmur is primarily determined by the quantity and velocity of blood flow at the site of its origin, the transmission characteristic of the tissues between the site of origin, the site of auscultation or recording, and the distance of transmission. In general, the intensity declines in the presence of obesity, emphysema, and pericardial effusion.Murmurs are usually louder in children and in thin individuals. Six grades are used to classify the intensity of a murmur: Grade I is the faintest murmur that can be heard (with difficulty) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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