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Cardiac Murmurs and PAD Overview

Aug 8, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers cardiac murmurs, their identification using a mnemonic, and related clinical cases, with a focus on systolic and diastolic murmurs and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Cardiac Murmurs and Mnemonics

  • "Mr. Peyton Manning is MVP" is a mnemonic for systolic murmurs.
  • MR (Mitral Regurgitation), PM (Physiologic Murmur), AS (Aortic Stenosis), MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse) are always systolic.
  • "ARMS" helps remember diastolic murmurs: AR (Aortic Regurgitation), MS (Mitral Stenosis), always diastolic and always abnormal.

Steps to Murmur Identification

  • Step 1: Is the murmur systolic or diastolic? Use the mnemonic.
  • Step 2: Identify the valve/location where the murmur is loudest.
  • Step 3: Know the classic symptoms associated with specific murmurs.

Clinical Cases Reviewed

  • Aortic stenosis: Systolic murmur best heard at the aortic listening point; presents with chest pain, syncope, heart failure.
  • Mitral regurgitation: Systolic murmur at the apex.
  • Physiologic murmurs: Common in growing adolescents, benign, due to heart growth and stretching.
  • Aortic regurgitation: Diastolic murmur, always abnormal, heard loudest at the 2nd right intercostal space.
  • Mitral stenosis: Diastolic murmur best heard at the apex, not radiating to the neck.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

  • Intermittent claudication is a key symptom; associated with PAD.
  • Weakened peripheral pulses are a significant finding.
  • Major risk factors: diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, inactivity.

Medication Side Effects

  • Amlodipine commonly causes lower extremity edema; the effect is dose-related.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Systolic murmur — murmur occurring during heart contraction.
  • Diastolic murmur — murmur occurring during heart relaxation.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) — a condition of narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to limbs.
  • Intermittent claudication — pain from too little blood flow during exercise, relieved by rest.
  • Physiologic murmur — benign heart murmur due to growth or increased blood flow, often in children/adolescents.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Memorize "Mr. Peyton Manning is MVP" and "ARMS" for murmur identification.
  • Practice identifying murmurs using steps 1 and 2.
  • Review risk factors and symptoms for PAD.
  • Complete any related practice questions or case reviews.