Which conditions are associated with systolic murmurs?

Systolic murmurs are heart sounds that occur during the contraction of the heart’s ventricles. The conditions associated with these murmurs typically involve either valvular insufficiency or outflow obstruction during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

In the case of mitral regurgitation, the mitral valve does not close completely during systole, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. This backflow creates a characteristic holosystolic (or pan-systolic) murmur heard best at the apex of the heart.

Aortic stenosis involves narrowing of the aortic valve orifice during systole, which restricts blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. During this obstruction, a distinctive ejection-type murmur is produced as blood passes through the narrowed valve, typically best heard at the right second intercostal space and often radiating to the carotids.

This combination of mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis results in the well-known patterns of systolic murmurs, making the chosen option the most accurate representation of conditions associated with this type of heart murmur. Understanding these associations helps clinicians correctly diagnose and manage various cardiac conditions.