Cardiac OSCE Flashcards
What is pulsus alternans?
alternating strong and weak pulse palpable at radial or femoral arteries
What causes a water hammer pulse?
Due to large stroke volume and backflow of blood from the aorta into LV
*indicative of aortic regurgitation.
What can a paradoxical pulse be used for?
to assess pericarditis or tamponade when there is varied pulse strength/amplitude with respiration
What is Kussmaul’s sign?
- Normal JVP shows decline in inspiration but the a wave amplitude increases
- If there is an increase in JVP, or even no change in JVP on inspiration, this is a positive Kussmaul’s and may indicate impaired venous return to the right heart.
When might you see a hyperkinetic high amp impulse?
- hyperthyroidism
- severe anemia
- pressure overload of LV from HTN or aortic stenosis
- volume overload of LV from AR
Aortic Stenosis
- Harsh quality
- RIGHT 2nd ICS/3rd ICS
- Radiates to suprasternal notch and carotids
- Delayed pulses (pulsus tardus et parvus)
Mitral Regurgitation
- Blowing quality, holosystolic
- Prominent at apex, radiates to LEFT axilla
- Loudness correlates with degree of valve insufficiency
Pulmonary Stenosis
- Harsh, loud, ejection click
- LEFT 2nd ICS/3rd ICS
- Radiates to the LEFT shoulder
- Increases with inspiration
Tricuspid Insufficiency
- Blowing quality, increases with inspiration
- Holosystolic
- Lower LEFT sternal border
Aortic Regurgitation
- Blowing, decrescendo murmur
- LEFT 2nd ICS to the 4th ICS
- Auscultate with diaphragm
Mitral Stenosis
- Rumbling, low pitched
- Best heard at apex
- Auscultate with bell
Pulmonary Insufficiency
- Blowing quality
Tricuspid Stenosis
- Increases in intensity with inspiration
- Decreases in intensity with expiration and valsalva
What are the following special tests used for?
- Left lateral decubitus
- Sitting and leaning forward
- Straining/valsalva
- JVP
- Patient on left side with left arm above head; Palpate PMI and auscultate for systolic murmurs; Increases chance of hearing mitral stenosis and extra heart sounds
- Increases chance of hearing aortic regurgitation
- Increases chance of hearing mitral regurgitation
- Hepatojugular reflex
What does valsavla help with?
differentiate between aortic and mitral prolapse or HCM