Continuous murmurs

Continuous murmurs are a type of heart murmur that are audible throughout the entire cardiac cycle. They are often associated with certain types of congenital heart disease and vascular disease.

Definition

Continuous murmurs are defined as those that extend through both the systolic and diastolic phases of the cardiac cycle. They are continuous in nature, without a silent interval. This is in contrast to systolic murmurs, which occur only during the systole, and diastolic murmurs, which occur only during the diastole.

Causes

Continuous murmurs are often caused by abnormal connections between arteries and veins, known as arteriovenous fistulas. They can also be caused by certain types of congenital heart disease, such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Other causes include aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, and tricuspid regurgitation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of continuous murmurs is typically made through physical examination, specifically through auscultation of the heart. The murmur is often described as a "machinery" murmur due to its continuous nature. Further diagnostic tests, such as echocardiography, may be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause.

Treatment

Treatment of continuous murmurs depends on the underlying cause. In cases of congenital heart disease, surgery may be required to correct the defect. In cases of arteriovenous fistulas, treatment may involve embolization or surgical ligation. Medications may also be used to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

See also

• Heart murmur
• Congenital heart disease
• Vascular disease
• Arteriovenous fistula
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Ventricular septal defect
• Aortic regurgitation
• Mitral regurgitation
• Tricuspid regurgitation