Spectral Phonocardiography ∗

Abstract

The utility and present technical status of spectral phonocardiography are briefly reviewed. By way of partial illustration of the method, the Still type of functional murmur, the right-sided Austin Flint murmur and the musical arterial type of Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur are discussed. It is suggested that the Still murmur is produced through trigonoidation of the pulmonary valve. It is demonstrated that a presystolic murmur of presumed tricuspid origin can accompany severe pulmonary regurgitation. Other types of “functional,” or “relative,” tricuspid stenosis are reviewed. The arterial type of Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur is presented as evidence for a functional hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula in some cases of Laennec's cirrhosis, and as direct supporting evidence that abnormally large hepatic-artery-to-portal-vein communications contribute to the portal hypertension of this disorder.