Which murmur description is most consistent with aortic stenosis?

Which murmur description is most consistent with aortic stenosis?

• A. Holosystolic murmur
• B. Diastolic murmur
• C. Continuous murmur
• D. Crescendo-decrescendo systolic murmur with carotid radiation

Answer: (D)

Aortic stenosis characteristically produces a systolic murmur that rises to a peak and then falls (crescendo-decrescendo), best heard at the right upper sternal border and radiating to the carotid arteries due to turbulent flow across the narrowed aortic valve. This pattern distinguishes it from murmurs that are holosystolic (suggesting mitral regurgitation or VSD), diastolic (suggesting aortic regurgitation or mitral stenosis), or continuous (as with a patent ductus arteriosus).

Aortic stenosis characteristically produces a systolic murmur that rises to a peak and then falls (crescendo-decrescendo), best heard at the right upper sternal border and radiating to the carotid arteries due to turbulent flow across the narrowed aortic valve. This pattern distinguishes it from murmurs that are holosystolic (suggesting mitral regurgitation or VSD), diastolic (suggesting aortic regurgitation or mitral stenosis), or continuous (as with a patent ductus arteriosus).