Left ventricular aneurysm physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]

Overview

The physical examination findings on cardiac examination in patients with LV aneurysm include a diffuse and displaced apical impulse, S3 and/or S4 heart sounds, and murmur of mitral regurgitation.

Physical exam

Appearance of the patient

Patients are usually well-appearing.

Vital signs

High blood pressure with normal pulse pressure may be seen. Tachycardia is another finding.

Cardiovascular

Common findings in patients with LV aneurysm include:^[1]

Palpation

Diffuse, sustained apical systolic thrust and a double impulse.
Displaced apical impulse to the left of the mid clavicular line.

Auscultation

Presence of a Third heart sound (S3), and often a fourth sound (S4).
There may be an apical pansystolic murmur due to the LV wall anatomical distortion, and also from mitral regurgitation, if present.

References

↑ Mann, Douglas (2015). Braunwald’s heart disease : a textbook of cardiovascular medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 978-1455751341.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[1] Mann, Douglas (2015). Braunwald’s heart disease : a textbook of cardiovascular medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 978-1455751341.

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