SHA 085. Heart defects in acyanotic pediatric patients referred with heart murmurs

Heart murmurs in pediatric patients: when do you refer?

Many normal children have heart murmurs, but most children do not have heart disease. An appropriate history and a properly conducted physical examination can identify children at increased risk for significant heart disease. Pathologic causes of systolic murmurs include atrial and ventricular septal defects, pulmonary or aortic outflow tract abnormalities, and patent ductus arteriosus. An atri...

Heart murmurs.

Heart murmurs.

to this article. Introduction Heart murmurs are heard commonly in infants, children, and adolescents. Approximately 50% to 70% of individuals seen for school or sports preparticipation examinations have a heart murmur. Indeed, a murmur is heard in most children at one or more of their examinations. Because most murmurs are innocent (ie, normal), it is important to differentiate those that are a...

Heart Murmurs in Children

Heart murmurs are common in asymptomatic and otherwise well children. Many murmurs are innocent and result from normal patterns of blood flow through heart and blood vessels. However, a murmur can be the sole manifestation of structural heart disease; therefore, a careful evaluation is essential. If in doubt, referral to a paediatrician with expertise in cardiology (PEC) or paediatric cardiolog...

Pediatric heart murmurs: evaluation and management in primary care.

The ability of the NP to discern pediatric heart murmurs is critical for accurate assessment of etiology, appropriate diagnostic testing, and prudent referral when indicated. This review includes an overview of cardiac assessment, distinguishing features of innocent and pathologic murmurs, differential diagnosis of murmurs, and current referral recommendations.