Question

What are the ACC/AHA guidelines for echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with cardiac murmurs?

Answer 1

The ACC/AHA guidelines recommend echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with cardiac murmurs when certain conditions are present. These conditions include a diastolic murmur, intense murmur, abnormal electrocardiogram, systolic murmur with specific characteristics, and abnormal physical examination findings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ACC/AHA guidelines recommend echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with cardiac murmurs when certain conditions are present. These conditions include:

1. Patient has a diastolic murmur.
2. Intensity of the murmur is grade 3/6 or louder.
3. Presence of an abnormal-left bundle branch block on the electrocardiogram.
4. Patient has a systolic murmur that increases with the Valsalva maneuver, standing, or a hand grip.
5. Patient has a systolic murmur along with an abnormal S4 on physical examination.

Echocardiography can help identify the underlying cause of the murmur and guide further management and treatment.