Atrial septal defect physical examination: Difference between revisions
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===Palpation=== | ===Palpation=== | ||
* | * [[Heave]]- An increased [[Left-to-right shunt|left-to-right atrial shunt]] can cause a hyperdynamic right ventricular impulse or [[heave]]. The heave can be best palpated at left [[sternal]] border or the subxiphoid area. | ||
* '''Pulmonary artery pulsations''' - Pulsatile, enlarged [[pulmonary artery]] pulsation can be felt at the second left intercostal space. These are more pronounced in patients with large [[left-to-right shunt]]s. Patients with obstruction to right ventricular outflow have a less dynamic right ventricular impulse and may present with more of a tapping or thrusting quality. | * '''Pulmonary artery pulsations''' - Pulsatile, enlarged [[pulmonary artery]] pulsation can be felt at the second left intercostal space. These are more pronounced in patients with large [[left-to-right shunt]]s. Patients with obstruction to right ventricular outflow have a less dynamic right ventricular impulse and may present with more of a tapping or thrusting quality. | ||
* '''Thrill''' - In large left-to-right shunt or the presence of a [[pulmonic stenosis]] a [[thrill]] can be palpated. | * '''Thrill''' - In large left-to-right shunt or the presence of a [[pulmonic stenosis]] a [[thrill]] can be palpated. | ||
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====Second heart sound S2==== | ====Second heart sound S2==== | ||
* Best heard at second inter-costal space. | * Best heard at second inter-costal space. | ||
* | * [[Heart sound|Fixed splitting of the second heart sound (S2)]]. | ||
* It should be evaluated with the patient sitting or standing. | |||
* Commonly seen with large [[left-to-right shunt]] and absence of [[pulmonary hypertension]]. | * Commonly seen with large [[left-to-right shunt]] and absence of [[pulmonary hypertension]]. | ||
* In unaffected individuals, there are respiratory variations in the splitting of the [[Heart sound|second heart sound (S<sub>2</sub>)]]. During respiratory [[inspiration]], the negative [[intrathoracic pressure]] causes increased blood return into the right side of the heart. The increased blood volume in the right ventricle causes the pulmonic valve to stay open longer during ventricular systole. This causes a normal delay in the P<sub>2</sub> component of S<sub>2</sub>. During [[expiration]], the positive intrathoracic pressure causes decreased blood return to the right side of the heart. The reduced volume in the right ventricle allows the pulmonic valve to close earlier at the end of [[ventricular]] systole, causing P<sub>2</sub> to occur earlier. In individuals with an [[atrial septal defect]], there is a fixed splitting of S<sub>2</sub>. Fixed splitting occurs as a result of the extra blood return during [[inspiration]] equalized by the intraseptal communication between the left and right atrium allowed by the defect. The reason for a fixed splitting second heart sound is that: Normally the [[pulmonary]] component of S2 occurs after the [[aortic]] component A2 (due to difference in compliance and resistance in the two sides). This separation ("splitting") of S2 increases with [[inspiration]]. Fixed splitting of S2 is rare with ASDs in newborns as they have little left-to right shunts. | |||
* In unaffected individuals, there are respiratory variations in the splitting of the second heart sound (S<sub>2</sub>). During respiratory [[inspiration]], the negative [[intrathoracic pressure]] causes increased blood return into the right side of the heart. The increased blood volume in the right ventricle causes the pulmonic valve to stay open longer during ventricular systole. This causes a normal delay in the P<sub>2</sub> component of S<sub>2</sub>. During [[expiration]], the positive intrathoracic pressure causes decreased blood return to the right side of the heart. The reduced volume in the right ventricle allows the pulmonic valve to close earlier at the end of [[ventricular]] systole, causing P<sub>2</sub> to occur earlier. In individuals with an [[atrial septal defect]], there is a fixed splitting of S<sub>2</sub>. Fixed splitting occurs as a result of the extra blood return during [[inspiration]] equalized by the intraseptal communication between the left and right atrium allowed by the defect. The reason for a fixed splitting second heart sound is that: Normally the [[pulmonary]] component of S2 occurs after the [[aortic]] component A2 (due to difference in compliance and resistance in the two sides). This separation ("splitting") of S2 increases with [[inspiration]]. Fixed splitting of S2 is rare with ASDs in newborns as they have little left-to right shunts. | |||
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====Murmurs==== | ====Murmurs==== | ||
The different types of murmur that can occur in [[atrial septal defect]] are- | |||
*'''Midsystolic pulmonary flow or ejection murmur'''. | *'''Midsystolic pulmonary flow or ejection murmur'''. | ||
** Heard best at 2nd intercostal space at upper left sternal border. | ** Heard best at 2nd intercostal space at upper left sternal border. | ||
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** Audible over the lung fields and is thought to occur from rapid flow through the peripheral [[pulmonary arteries]] | ** Audible over the lung fields and is thought to occur from rapid flow through the peripheral [[pulmonary arteries]] | ||
*''' | *'''Pansystolic mitral regurgitation murmur''' | ||
** Can be heard in [[Atrial septal defect ostium primum|ostium primum]] defects with accompanied cleft mitral valve or Atrial septal defect ostium secundum|secundum defects]] with [[mitral valve prolapse]]. | ** Can be heard in [[Atrial septal defect ostium primum|ostium primum]] defects with accompanied cleft mitral valve or Atrial septal defect ostium secundum|secundum defects]] with [[mitral valve prolapse]]. | ||
** Murmur radiation to the axilla. | ** Murmur radiation to the axilla. | ||
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** Low-to-medium frequency | ** Low-to-medium frequency | ||
====Auscultatory findings in pulmonic regurgitation==== | |||
A low-pitched murmur is present which is usually best heard along the third or fourth intercostal spaces adjacent to the left sternal border. The murmur may be accentuated with [[inspiration]]. When the [[pulmonary artery]] [[systolic pressure]] exceeds 70 mm Hg, dilatation of the pulmonary artery ring may then result in [[Graham-Steell's]] murmur. This is a high-pitched, blowing decrescendo [[murmur]] heard best along the left parasternal region. [[Pulmonic regurgitation]] is associated with wide splitting of S2. A right-sided [[heart sound|S3]] may be audible and may also be accentuated with inspiration. Likewise, a right-sided S4 may also be audible and accentuated with inspiration. | |||
====Auscultatory findings in pulmonary hypertension==== | ====Auscultatory findings in pulmonary hypertension==== | ||
Revision as of 16:24, 12 September 2011
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Atrial Septal Defect Microchapters | |
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Atrial septal defect physical examination On the Web | |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Atrial septal defect physical examination | |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Atrial septal defect physical examination | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3] Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]
Overview
On physical examination, a patient with an atrial septal defect may present with a crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur and widely fixed split S2.
Physical examination
The physical findings in an adult with an atrial septal defect depends on:
- Size of defect
- Degree of left-to-right shunt
- Pressure in pulmonary vasculature
- Any associated anomalies for e.g. mitral valve prolapse in ostium primum
General physical examination
- Cyanosis and clubbing in case Eisenmenger's syndrome develops.
- Underdevelopment/below-average size for age.
Cardiovascular examination
Inspection
- Precordial bulge- The left-to-right shunting of blood causes right atrial enlargement that can present as a precordial bulge. The precordial bulge can cause a counter development of Harrison's groove that are horizontal depressions along the sixth and seventh costal cartilages at the lower margin of the thorax where the diaphragm attaches to the ribs.
- Precordial lift- An increased left-to-right atrial shunt can cause a hyperdynamic right ventricular flow that can be seen as precordial lift on inspection
Palpation
- Heave- An increased left-to-right atrial shunt can cause a hyperdynamic right ventricular impulse or heave. The heave can be best palpated at left sternal border or the subxiphoid area.
- Pulmonary artery pulsations - Pulsatile, enlarged pulmonary artery pulsation can be felt at the second left intercostal space. These are more pronounced in patients with large left-to-right shunts. Patients with obstruction to right ventricular outflow have a less dynamic right ventricular impulse and may present with more of a tapping or thrusting quality.
- Thrill - In large left-to-right shunt or the presence of a pulmonic stenosis a thrill can be palpated.
Auscultation
First heart sound, S1
- Best heard at apex
- Can be split. The reason behind the split is that the large volume of diastolic blood flow from right atrium to right ventricle causing forceful contraction of the tricuspid leaflets
Second heart sound S2
- Best heard at second inter-costal space.
- Fixed splitting of the second heart sound (S2).
- It should be evaluated with the patient sitting or standing.
- Commonly seen with large left-to-right shunt and absence of pulmonary hypertension.
- In unaffected individuals, there are respiratory variations in the splitting of the second heart sound (S2). During respiratory inspiration, the negative intrathoracic pressure causes increased blood return into the right side of the heart. The increased blood volume in the right ventricle causes the pulmonic valve to stay open longer during ventricular systole. This causes a normal delay in the P2 component of S2. During expiration, the positive intrathoracic pressure causes decreased blood return to the right side of the heart. The reduced volume in the right ventricle allows the pulmonic valve to close earlier at the end of ventricular systole, causing P2 to occur earlier. In individuals with an atrial septal defect, there is a fixed splitting of S2. Fixed splitting occurs as a result of the extra blood return during inspiration equalized by the intraseptal communication between the left and right atrium allowed by the defect. The reason for a fixed splitting second heart sound is that: Normally the pulmonary component of S2 occurs after the aortic component A2 (due to difference in compliance and resistance in the two sides). This separation ("splitting") of S2 increases with inspiration. Fixed splitting of S2 is rare with ASDs in newborns as they have little left-to right shunts.
<youtube v=5tBk1XuEyuM/>
Murmurs
The different types of murmur that can occur in atrial septal defect are-
- Midsystolic pulmonary flow or ejection murmur.
- Heard best at 2nd intercostal space at upper left sternal border.
- Heard commonly in moderate to large left-to-right shunts
- Occur due to increased right ventricular stroke volume across pulmonary outflow tract
- Systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur
- Audible over the lung fields and is thought to occur from rapid flow through the peripheral pulmonary arteries
- Pansystolic mitral regurgitation murmur
- Can be heard in ostium primum defects with accompanied cleft mitral valve or Atrial septal defect ostium secundum|secundum defects]] with mitral valve prolapse.
- Murmur radiation to the axilla.
- Rumbling middiastolic murmur
- Heard best at the lower left sternal border because of increased flow across the tricuspid valve.
- Commonly heard with large left-to-right shunts
- Low-to-medium frequency
Auscultatory findings in pulmonic regurgitation
A low-pitched murmur is present which is usually best heard along the third or fourth intercostal spaces adjacent to the left sternal border. The murmur may be accentuated with inspiration. When the pulmonary artery systolic pressure exceeds 70 mm Hg, dilatation of the pulmonary artery ring may then result in Graham-Steell's murmur. This is a high-pitched, blowing decrescendo murmur heard best along the left parasternal region. Pulmonic regurgitation is associated with wide splitting of S2. A right-sided S3 may be audible and may also be accentuated with inspiration. Likewise, a right-sided S4 may also be audible and accentuated with inspiration.
Auscultatory findings in pulmonary hypertension
Left-to-right shunt in atrial septal defect causes increased flow through the pulmonary vasculature, which can lead to pulmonary hypertension. This pulmonary hypertension may finally cause increased pressures in the right side of the heart and reversal of the shunt into a right-to-left shunt. Auscultatory findings accompanying pulmonary hypertension are-
- Increased intensity of the pulmonic component of S2, but no fixed splitting
- Fourth heart sound (right ventricular)
- Midsystolic ejection click
- Absence of tricuspid flow murmur
- A holosystolic murmur of tricuspid insufficiency
- Midsystolic pulmonic murmur
- A high pitched pulmonic regurgitation murmur
Eisenmenger's syndrome
Eisenmenger's syndrome is defined as the process in which a left-to-right shunt in the heart causes increased flow through the pulmonary vasculature, which leads to pulmonary hypertension, which finally causes increased pressures in the right side of the heart and reversal of the shunt into a right-to-left shunt. This right to left shunt causes the patient to become cyanotic. Thus, Eisenmenger's syndrome is said to develop when there is a pulmonary artery disease, right-to-left heart shunting and cyanosis
General physical examination
- Central cyanosis
- Clubbing
Signs of increased right atrial pressure
- Jugular venous pressure may be raised with 'a' wave indicating increased right atrial pressure. A "v" wave indicating development of tricuspid regurgitation may also be seen
- Peripheral edema
- Hepatomegaly
- Ascites
Cardiovascular examination
- Right ventricular heave and thrill
- Murmurs of tricuspid and pulmonic regurgitation maybe audible.
Extracardiac features
- Deformed carpal bones
- Deformed thumbs
- Holt-Oram syndrome
- Deformed radial bones
- Paradoxical embolization