My rationale for beginning at the mitral area is to compare the auscultatory findings with those previously obtained by percussion and palpation (see Nonauscultatory Cardiac Exam: Assessing the ...

The fourth heart sound (S4), also known as the "atrial gallop", occurs just before S1 when the atria contract to force blood into the LV. If the LV is non-compliant and atrial contraction forces blood ...

There is a link between atypical heart sounds and atrial fibrillation. People with this condition have an irregular, disorganized heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is a serious type of arrhythmia, which ...