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Auscultation and Atherosclerosis

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Atherosclerosis: Clinical Perspectives Through Imaging

Abstract

The tradition of cardiovascular auscultation provides important clues to the presence and severity of atherosclerosis. The detection of a carotid bruit has long been associated with atherosclerosis and identifies heightened risk for both cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Another clinical finding of atherosclerosis, femoral bruits, is an established marker of advanced peripheral atherosclerotic disease which conveys increased cardiovascular risk. Novel coronary microbruit detection technology may detect turbulence created by arterial blood flow through luminal irregularities created by atherosclerosis, potentially providing an additional method to diagnose coronary artery disease. Despite advances in cardiovascular imaging, bedside auscultation remains a foundational tool for providers to detect atherosclerosis, identify patients at the highest risk for adverse outcomes, and guide further therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA

    Christopher A. Pickett M.D. & Todd C. Villines M.D., FACC, FSCCT

  2. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Medstar Heart Institute, 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA

    Allen J. Taylor M.D., FACC, FAHA

Authors
  1. Christopher A. Pickett M.D.
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  2. Todd C. Villines M.D., FACC, FSCCT
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  3. Allen J. Taylor M.D., FACC, FAHA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher A. Pickett M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Irving Street 110, Washington, 20010, District of Columbia, USA

    Allen J. Taylor

  2. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Georgia Avenue, Washington, 20307, Washington, USA

    Todd C. Villines

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

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Pickett, C.A., Villines, T.C., Taylor, A.J. (2013). Auscultation and Atherosclerosis. In: Taylor, A., Villines, T. (eds) Atherosclerosis: Clinical Perspectives Through Imaging. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4288-1_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4288-1_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4287-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4288-1

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