Phonocardiography in Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Abstract

The study of 28 patients proved that patients with uncomplicated patent ductus arteriosus have a typical phonocardiographic picture. This consists of a single late systolic-early diastolic murmur which may be either continuous or noncontinuous. These patients also have no electrocardiographic evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and no elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure. Atypical murmurs are found only when additional aortic or pulmonic lesions or severely elevated pulmonary pressure due to intrapulmonary vascular changes is present. The high percentage of atypical or complicated ducti in infancy explains why infants frequently have atypical murmurs. Phonocardiography increases the accuracy of diagnosis.