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Aortic Regurgitation Murmurs

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Cardiovascular Eponymic Signs

Abstract

A multitude of cardiac and peripheral phenomena, eponymously ascribed as signs, have been described in aortic regurgitation (AR) to honor physicians’ contributions to medicine. They were identified based on applying the bedside skills of observation, auscultation, palpation, maneuvers, and the sphygmomanometer. These bedside signs have diminished in use since the advent of echocardiographic and other imaging techniques of the heart. With the exception of Corrigan, Duroziez, and Hill signs, they have not been well studied and gaps remain in knowledge regarding evidence of their applicability in clinical practice. In general, for those signs which have been studied, there are a number of limitations with studies such as selection bias, inconsistent case definition and reference standard, and wide ranges of disease severities. Additionally, there is a paucity of data assessing the relationship between a sign and disease severity. Despite these shortcomings, we contend that these signs should be taught since they impart an appreciation for the keen insights applied by physicians in recognizing or eliciting them on physical examination. They also further enhance our understanding about the pathophysiology of disease and provide opportunities for further investigation. Described in this chapter is brief historical information of the person who reported the sign, its original description, and if known, its sensitivity, specificity, and validity in clinical practice. The name for the description of this pathological finding affecting the aortic valve has changed over the years and has encompassed such terms as retroversion of the valves, incompetence, insufficiency, and regurgitation. It is understood that each term is meant to describe the condition by which the aortic valves do not close tightly causing blood to flow back into the left ventricle during diastole.

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Yale, S.H., Tekiner, H., Mazza, J.J., Yale, E.S., Yale, R.C. (2021). Aortic Regurgitation Murmurs. In: Cardiovascular Eponymic Signs. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67596-7_5

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