Valve Disease Flashcards
What is a cardiac murmur?
Noise due to turbulent blood flow within the heart
Diastolic murmurs are in time with the carotid pulse. True/False?
False
Systolic murmurs are in time with the carotid pulse
What are the 5 steps for describing murmurs?
Systole or diastole? Which type of murmur? Where is it best heard? Does it radiate? What is the grade?
Where do aortic murmurs tend (but not always) radiate to?
Carotids
Where do mitral murmurs tend (but not always) radiate to?
Axilla
Where do tricuspid murmurs tend to radiate?
Nowhere!
What is a thrill?
Palpable murmur
What is a heave?
Palpable sensation due to ventricular stress/hypertrophy
Which murmurs, left or right sided, are louder on inspiration?
Right sided
Name the main non-invasive investigation for diagnosing cardiac murmurs
Echocardiography
Name an invasive investigation for diagnosing cardiac murmurs
Cardiac catheterisation
What are the main causes of aortic stenosis?
Congenital bicuspid valve
Degeneration/calcification with age
Rheumatic disease
Can aortic stenosis patients be asymptomatic?
Yes
What are some symptoms of aortic stenosis?
Breathlessness
Chest pain
Dizziness
[less cardiac output]
What are some signs of aortic stenosis?
Slow-rising pulse
Heaving apex
Ejection systolic
Radiates to carotid