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Heart sounds (second, loud)

Authoring team

Loud second heart sounds can be loud A2 or a loud P2.

  • loud A2 occurs in systemic hypertension where there is a dilated proximal aorta

  • a loud P2 is heard in pulmonary hypertension

  • a loud P2 occurs in an atrial septal defect without pulmonary hypertension. This is caused by a sharp rise and fall of pulmonary arterial pressure

  • in thin-chested people with a forward projecting aorta

Reference

  1. Voin V, Oskouian RJ, Loukas M, Tubbs RS. Auscultation of the heart: The Basics with Anatomical Correlation. Clin Anat. 2017 Jan;30(1):58-60.

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