Auscultation Location

Patent Ductus Arteriosus Auscultation Reference

Unlock quizzes, lessons and more.

Patient Normal Speed

play
pause

Patient Half Speed

play
pause

Simulated Full Speed

play
pause

Lesson

For heart sounds listen to the synthetic sound while reviewing this lesson.

This is an example of patent ductus arteriosus heard at the pulmonic position.

Before birth, the two major arteries—the aorta and the pulmonary artery—are connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus.

Shortly after birth the patent ductus closes and turns into a ligament. However, in certain abnormal circumstances the patent ductus remains open allowing blood to flow from the aorta into the pulmonary artery causing a strain on the right ventricle.

The first heart sound is normal. The second heart sound is obscured by a continuous crescendo-decrescendo murmur which runs from the beginning of systole to the end of diastole peaking at the second heart sound.

In the anatomy tab you can see an enlarged left atrium and left ventricle and turbulent blood flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery through the patent ductus.

As you listen to this sound, observe the waveform. This is a graph of sound amplitude (loudness) on the vertical axis vs time on the horizontal axis.

Additional Listening Tips

Systole: Crescendo-decrescendo murmur, peaking late systole.
S2: Obscured.
Diastole: Crescendo-decrescendo murmur continuing from systole.

Auscultation Method

The recommended patient position is supine

For this sound, use stethoscope's diaphragm The recommended auscultation position for the stethoscope is pulmonic

Relevant Courses

If you wish to review a complete mobile concerning Patent Ductus Arteriosus Auscultation Reference and related heart sounds, the modules(s) listed below may be useful. Each lesson includes text that explains the auscultatory sound and its clinical significance. The lesson also includes an audio track for playback. A waveform provides a great way to visualize the sounds. Finally, we also include an animation video. For heart sounds, the video illustrates heart muscle and valve movements along with blood flow. For lung sounds, the primary source of the sounds can be seen. Each module also includes a quiz.

Congenital Abnormalities

Patent Ductus Arteriosus Auscultation Reference