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Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the leakage of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole through a mitral valve that does not close fully. A systolic murmur is produced by MR and can be used to diagnose this disease. In the current study, we use hemoacoustic simulations to characterize the features of murmurs for a range of severities relevant to chronic MR. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved using an immersed boundary method to simulate the blood flow. The resultant pressure fluctuations on the lumen wall serve as the source for the murmur, and the murmur propagation through the thorax is modeled as a 3D elastic wave in a linear viscoelastic material. The resulting acceleration on the surface of the thorax is used as a surrogate for the measurement from a stethoscope, and these characteristics of the acceleration signal are examined in detail. We found that the intensity of the MR murmur is lower at the mitral point on the precordium, as compared with the aortic and pulmonic areas. This is somewhat counterintuitive but is supported by other studies in the past. We also found that the intensity of the murmur, as well as the break frequency, are well correlated with the severity of MR, and this information can be useful for automated auscultation and phonocardiographic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This case study’s novelty lies in the potential to link a new sign in pulmonary embolism diagnosis which does not increase cost but could lead to more rapid treatment. Early intervention in these cases is vital to decrease morbidity and mortality. Case presentation An otherwise healthy 20-year-old female patient presents to the emergency department for evaluation of a syncopal episode which occurred just prior to arriving to the emergency department. Patient also complains of ongoing shortness of breath while performing activities of daily living for 3 weeks. In this patient with no known valvular disease, physical exam revealed a systolic murmur heard only posteriorly. Subsequent emergency department workup revealed bilateral massive pulmonary emboli. Implications A new flow murmur heard in atypical locations could be an early sign to aid in the detection and diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. This is especially important in rural community hospitals with limited access to advanced imaging modalities.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the leakage of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole through a mitral valve that does not close fully. A systolic murmur is produced by MR and can be used to diagnose this disease. In the current study, we use hemoacoustic simulations to characterize the features of murmurs for a range of severities relevant to chronic MR. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved using an immersed boundary method to simulate the blood flow. The resultant pressure fluctuations on the lumen wall serve as the source for the murmur, and the murmur propagation through the thorax is modeled as a 3D elastic wave in a linear viscoelastic material. The resulting acceleration on the surface of the thorax is used as a surrogate for the measurement from a stethoscope, and these characteristics of the acceleration signal are examined in detail. We found that the intensity of the MR murmur is lower at the mitral point on the precordium, as compared with the aortic and pulmonic areas. This is somewhat counterintuitive but is supported by other studies in the past. We also found that the intensity of the murmur, as well as the break frequency, are well correlated with the severity of MR, and this information can be useful for automated auscultation and phonocardiographic applications.

A 59-year-old Japanese woman was admitted with heart failure due to severe pulmonary regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, in addition to atrial fibrillation 45 years after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). She had been under treatment with medication and catheter ablation for arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia for the past 28 years. She underwent pulmonary valve replacement as well as tricuspid and mitral valvuloplasty, which obviously improved her status even though her right ventricular end-diastolic volume index exceeded the recommended threshold. Patients who have undergone surgical correction of TOF need to be managed over the long term. < Learning objective: For a long term after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), appropriate managements are needed for arrhythmia and heart failure related to heart valve disease. Even though her right ventricular end-diastolic volume index exceeded the recommended threshold by the current published guidelines, re-operation for heart valve diseases improved the present patient. We have to accumulate evidence to make useful guideline of re-operation of TOF in Japan.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Acute pulmonary embolism with significant right ventricular strain could be associated with a low‐pitch peripheral systolic murmur radiating to the axillae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computational method for direct simulation of the generation and propagation of blood flow induced sounds is proposed. This computational hemoacoustic method is based on the immersed boundary approach and employs high-order finite difference methods to resolve wave propagation and scattering accurately. The current method employs a two-step, one-way coupled approach for the sound generation and its propagation through the tissue. The blood flow is simulated by solving the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using the sharp-interface immersed boundary method, and the equations corresponding to the generation and propagation of the three-dimensional elastic wave corresponding to the murmur are resolved with a high-order, immersed boundary based, finite-difference methods in the time-domain. The proposed method is applied to a model problem of aortic stenosis murmur and the simulation results are verified and validated by comparing with known solutions as well as experimental measurements. The murmur propagation in a realistic model of a human thorax is also simulated by using the computational method. The roles of hemodynamics and elastic wave propagation on the murmur are discussed based on the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) has a relatively non-aggressive clinical course; either spontaneous closure or causing congestive heart failure treatable with surgical intervention. We present two autopsy cases of sudden infant deaths from clinically undiagnosed VSDs. Case 1 was an 18-day-old boy. As the deceased coughed and became limp after feeding, he was carried to a hospital. Heart murmur was not auscultated there, so he was brought back to home. He presented severe dyspnea and then he was pronounced dead the next day. Case 2 was a 3-week-old boy. Any abnormality was pointed out at physical examination, although his mother felt his wheeze. He developed respiratory arrest at home in the morning and then he was confirmed dead at the hospital. Heart weights of these babies were heavier than mean weights of each normal development. There were perimembranous VSDs in both cases. Histology revealed that the pulmonary arterial walls were thickened. We diagnosed the cause of death in these cases was cardiac collapse with pulmonary hypertension due to VSD. Congenital heart diseases can be diagnosed as early as before birth, because echocardiograph and fetal echography are prevalent in these days. Most VSDs can be noticed by systolic murmur even today. We consider that the failure of initial clinical diagnosis of VSD in primary physical assessment could lead unexpected sudden death. These two cases reminded us to the importance of auscultation which is conventional but as one of the indispensable measure to find a clue for the congenital abnormality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of a pocket-size imaging device in the hands of a noncardiologist as a screening tool for diagnosing aortic stenosis in individuals with newly discovered systolic murmur. Methods and results: A total of 200 consecutive patients with systolic murmur were included; a limited focused cardiac ultrasound was performed with a pocket-size imaging device and compared to standard echocardiography. It was performed by a noncardiologist with no formal training in echocardiography. In all, 150 patients had morphological changes on the aortic valve, 77 had more than mild aortic stenosis, 30 had more than mild mitral regurgitation, 64 patients had more than moderate hypertrophy, 113 had more than moderately enlarged left atriums, and 3 had severely enlarged left ventricles. There were no significant difference in recognizing severe changes between Vscan focused cardiac ultrasound and comprehensive echocardiography. Conclusion: Pocket-size ultrasound imaging devices without continuous and pulse wave Doppler modalities can, even in the hands of a noncardiologist with limited cardiac ultrasound instructions with high sensitivity and specificity, be a useful tool for detecting more than mild aortic stenosis and more than mild mitral regurgitation. As such a focused cardiac ultrasound can be an extension of physical examinations for patients with newly discovered systolic murmur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient systolic murmurs in neonates and premature infants due to mild left (LPA) and right (RPA) pulmonary branch stenosis is recognized but follow up studies are lacking. A total of 32 neonates with murmur and 32 controls were evaluated echocardiographically at baseline and in four months follow up. Diameters of LPA and RPA were smaller in patients with murmur. Colour-coded Doppler showed turbulent flow in LPA and RPA in 93% of patients and flow velocities of both pulmonary branches were significantly higher than in controls. The follow up study at 4 months showed absent (23%) or decreased murmur (76%). Echocardiographically, absolute and relative diameters of LPA and RPA increased whereas the ratio of main pulmonary artery/aorta did not change suggesting accelerated growth or dilatation of the pulmonary branches. Thus, transient systolic murmurs in neonates are associated with temporary relative hypoplasia of the pulmonary branches which showed increased growth leading to disappearance of the murmur in most cases within 4 months of life.

Résumé La découverte d’un souffle systolique cardiaque est fréquente en unité. Souvent bénin chez l’adulte jeune asymptomatique, le souffle peut révéler une valvulopathie qui pourrait s’aggraver lors des activités physiques ou une cardiopathie exposant à un risque de mort subite. Cette étude a pour but d’évaluer l’efficience diagnostique du médecin d’unité devant la découverte d’un souffle systolique chez un jeune patient asymptomatique. Matériels et méthode Ce travail prospectif d’un an a impliqué les trois centres médicaux des armées de Bretagne et les cardiologues de l’hôpital d’instruction des armées de Brest. La population étudiée regroupait des militaires de moins de 40 ans asymptomatiques sans cardiopathie sous-jacente connue. Le médecin d’unité a recueilli les caractéristiques du souffle et de l’ECG de manière anonyme en proposant un diagnostic : souffle innocent ou organique. Secondairement, le cardiologue a procédé de même puis a réalisé une échocardiographie délivrant le diagnostic final. Résultats Cinquante-huit patients ont été adressés, 5 ne respectant pas les critères d’inclusion. Sur les 53 patients inclus, le médecin d’unité a retrouvé 46 souffles innocents et 7 souffles organiques. Le cardiologue a retrouvé 51 souffles innocents et 2 souffles organiques. L’échocardiographie n’a retenu qu’un souffle organique dépisté par le cardiologue mais considéré comme innocent en unité (lié à une bicuspidie aortique). Discussion La majorité des souffles diagnostiqués innocents en unité (45/46) ont été confirmés. Parmi les 7 souffles considérés organiques, les arguments séméiologiques relevés (intensité supérieure à 3, persistance à l’orthostatisme, irradiation diffuse) procèdent des critères habituellement cités dans la littérature et témoignent de bons réflexes auscultatoires. Les auteurs proposent une conduite pratique devant la découverte d’un souffle systolique chez un patient jeune asymptomatique. Conclusion Le médecin d’unité semble maîtriser la séméiologie du souffle organique. Ce constat plaide en faveur de la promotion d’un examen clinique holistique afin de ne pas systématiser le recours à l’échocardiographie tant en termes d’économie de santé qu’en termes de valorisation de l’expertise médicale. The finding of a systolic heart murmur is common in medical military practice. Albeit often benign among young healthy adults, it can reveal a valvular or a cardiac disease, which could worsen during workout or expose to risk of a sudden death. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the military general practitioner when discovering a systolic murmur among young asymptomatic patients. Materials and methods During one year, this study involved all the general practitioners of the medical military centres of Brittany and the cardiologists of the military hospital in Brest. It prospectively enrolled a cohort of all military asymptomatic patients under 40, without any underlying known heart condition. Military general practitioners listed, thanks to an anonymous form, the main features of the systolic murmur and of the ECG and proposed an auscultatory diagnosis: innocent or organic murmur. Then cardiologists did the same and finally performed a transthoracic echocardiography giving the diagnosis. Results Fifty-eight patients were referred, 5 not meeting the inclusion criteria. Of the 53 patients included, military general practitioners found 46 innocent murmurs and 7 organic ones. Cardiologists found 51 innocent murmurs and 2 organic. Transthoracic echocardiography just took on one organic murmur (linked with a bicuspid aortic valve), spotted by the specialist, though judged innocent by the general practitioner. Discussion Most of innocent murmurs diagnosed by general practitioners (45/46) were confirmed. Regarding the seven organic murmurs, the main selected criteria (intensity over 3, orthostatic persistence, diffuse irradiation) are mostly in accordance with the literature, proving right medical instincts. Authors propose a practical management of systolic murmurs among asymptomatic young patients. Conclusion Military general practitioners seem to master symptoms of organic murmur. This assessment argues for a promotion of a holistic clinical examination, which will help not only to rationalize the use of transthoracic echocardiography in economic terms but also to value the medical expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction La découverte d’un souffle systolique à l’auscultation est fréquente chez l’adulte jeune militaire. En l’absence de critère clinique de bénignité de ce souffle, une échographie trans-thoracique (ETT) est réalisée dans le but de dépister les cardiopathies potentiellement responsables de mort subite. L’objectif principal de l’étude est l’évaluation dans une population spécifique de la rentabilité diagnostique de la réalisation systématique d’une ETT lors de la découverte d’un souffle systolique à l’auscultation. Méthodes Il s’agit d’une étude monocentrique rétrospective effectuée à l’hôpital d’instruction des armées de Brest concernant l’ensemble des patients âgés de 15 à 30 ans ayant bénéficié d’une ETT secondaire à la découverte d’un souffle systolique dans le cadre d’une aptitude militaire pendant la période du 01 janvier 2010 au 31 juillet 2013. Résultats Pendant la période de l’étude, 280 ETT ont été réalisées. On dénombre 28/280 (10 %) anomalies échographiques dont 13 bicuspidies aortiques (4,6 %), 6 communications inter-ventriculaires (2,15 %), 3 communications inter-auriculaires (1,07 %), 4 insuffisances mitrales modérées sur valve mitrale dystrophique (1,4 %), 1 sténose de l’artère pulmonaire modérée (0,35 %) et 1 rétrécissement aortique sous-valvulaire (0,35 %). Aucune CMH n’a été observée. Sur le plan médico-militaire, parmi les 28 (10 %) patients présentant une cardiopathie à l’ETT, 11 (3,9 %) sont déclarés « inapte » ou « apte avec restrictions » au métier de militaire. Conclusion La réalisation d’une ETT a permis le diagnostic d’une cardiopathie dans 10 % des cas. Cette étude montre l’intérêt de la réalisation d’une ETT systématique dans le dépistage d’un souffle systolique chez l’adulte jeune dans le cadre d’une médecine d’expertise militaire. Clinically discovering a systolic murmur is frequent among the young military population. When this murmur does not sound benign, a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is made to detect any cardiopathy, which could cause sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of systematic TTE in the assessment of any cardiac systolic murmur (CSM) among militaries. Methods We ran a retrospective monocentric study in the “Clermont-Tonnerre” military hospital in Brest. We included all patients sent for TEE, aged 15 to 30 years old, from the 1st January 2010 until the 31st July 2013. Results Two hundred and eighty TTES assessing CSM were performed. We found 28/280 (10%) echocardiographic abnormalities: 13 were bicuspid aortic valves (4.6%), 6 were ventricular septal defects (2.15%), 3 were atrial septal defects (1.07%), 4 were mild mitral regurgitations (1.43%), one mild pulmonary stenosis (0.35%) and one aortic stenosis (0.35%). No hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was found. Concerning military expertise, 11 (3.92%) patients among these 28 with abnormal TEE were considered unfit for work or “fit for work with limitations”. Conclusion Assessing a cardiac systolic murmur with TEE lead to the diagnosis of a cardiomyopathy in 10% of the case. This study enhances the importance of systematic TEE when a CSM is detected in the young military, in order to determine if those soldiers can still fulfill their military duty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]