Question

Explain why chronic anaemia could present with a systolic murmur over the aortic valve.

Answer 1

A grade1 or 2 mid systolic murmur heard at the left sternal border in Chronic anaemia. This is because in chronic anaemia, there is no healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body tissues which result in rapid blood flow through the heart into aorta causing murmur.

A mid systolic murmur begins after S1 and ends before S2. Aortic stenosis is the most common cause of mid systolic murmur, therefore systolic murmur is heard over Aortic valve in chronic anaemia.

Out of 6 grades Gradeby Freeman and Levine, grade 1 systolic murmur is the faint murmur heard on careful auscultation. Grade 2 is easily audible and not loud.

Other than Chronic anaemia, systolic murmur heard over Aortic valve in cases of pregnancy, Thyrotoxicosis, Fever, Peripheral A- V fistula.