Coarctation of the Aorta

This is an example of coarctation of the aorta, a congenital abnormality. This first heart sound is normal. The second heart sound is intensified. There is diamond shaped murmur occupying most of systole and a high-pitched decrescendo murmur in the first half of diastole. In the anatomy video you can see a constriction in the descending aorta which is responsible for the systolic murmur. There is regurgitant flow from the aorta into the left ventricle which causes the diastolic murmur. The left ventricle wall thickness is increased due to aortic pressure elevation caused by the aortic coarctation.

Auscultation Audio

Patient Sounds

Half Speed Patient Sounds

Technique

The patient's position should be sitting leaning forward.

Auscultation Tips

Systole:Diamond-shaped murmur, possible early systolic ejection sounds
S2:Increased intensity
Diastole:high-pitched, decrescendo, early murmur

Sound Wave

Observe Cardiac Animation

Play the cardiac movie and observe a constriction in the descending aorta which is responsible for the systolic murmur. There is regurgitant flow from the aorta into the left ventricle which causes the diastolic murmur. The left ventricle wall thickness is increased due to aortic pressure elevation caused by the aortic coarctation.

Authors and Sources