Which valve disorders are associated with a systolic murmur?

The presence of a systolic murmur can often be attributed to conditions where blood flow is disturbed during the contraction phase of the heart, specifically through either a narrowed valve or due to backward flow due to valve insufficiency. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation are both associated with systolic murmurs.

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, making it difficult for blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta during systole, causing turbulence that produces a characteristic systolic ejection murmur. In the case of mitral regurgitation, when the mitral valve does not close properly during systole, blood flows backward into the left atrium from the left ventricle, resulting in a holosystolic murmur.

Recognizing the nature of these conditions is essential for effective assessment and intervention, as both of these murmurs can indicate significant cardiovascular issues that may require prompt attention or intervention. Consequently, the combination of aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation being associated with systolic murmurs makes this choice accurate in the context of valve disorders and their murmurs.