Mitral valve regurgitation murmurs are best heard at which location?

Mitral valve regurgitation murmurs are best heard at which location?

• A. Apex
• B. Base of the heart
• C. Left lower sternal border
• D. Right upper sternal border

Answer: (A)

Mitral valve regurgitation produces a holosystolic murmur that is loudest at the mitral valve’s location, which is the apex of the heart (left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line). The regurgitant jet travels toward the left atrium and the murmur typically radiates to the axilla, making the apex the best listening point. In practice, you often hear it best with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position using the diaphragm. The other sites correspond to murmurs from other valves (base for aortic areas, left lower sternal border for tricuspid/VSD, etc.), which is why the apex is the correct location for mitral regurgitation.

Mitral valve regurgitation produces a holosystolic murmur that is loudest at the mitral valve’s location, which is the apex of the heart (left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line). The regurgitant jet travels toward the left atrium and the murmur typically radiates to the axilla, making the apex the best listening point. In practice, you often hear it best with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position using the diaphragm. The other sites correspond to murmurs from other valves (base for aortic areas, left lower sternal border for tricuspid/VSD, etc.), which is why the apex is the correct location for mitral regurgitation.