Gallavardin phenomenon
Encyclopedia
The Gallavardin phenomenon is a clinical sign
found in patients with aortic stenosis. It is described as the dissociation between the noisy and musical components of the systolic murmur
heard in aortic stenosis. The harsh noisy component is best heard at the upper right sternal border radiating to the neck due to the high velocity jet in the ascending aorta
. The musical high frequency component is best heard at the cardiac apex
. The presence of a murmur at the apex can be misinterpreted as mitral regurgitation
. However, the apical murmur of the Gallavardin phenomenon does not radiate to the left axilla and is accentuated by a slowing of the heart rate
(such as a compensatory pause after a premature beat
) whereas the mitral regurgitation murmur does not change.
The sign is named after Louis Gallavardin
, having been described by Gallavardin and Ravault in 1925.
Medical sign
A medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected by a physician during a physical examination of a patient....
found in patients with aortic stenosis. It is described as the dissociation between the noisy and musical components of the systolic murmur
Heart murmur
Murmurs are extra heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow that is sufficient to produce audible noise. Most murmurs can only be heard with the assistance of a stethoscope ....
heard in aortic stenosis. The harsh noisy component is best heard at the upper right sternal border radiating to the neck due to the high velocity jet in the ascending aorta
Ascending aorta
The ascending aorta is a portion of the aorta commencing at the upper part of the base of the left ventricle, on a level with the lower border of the third costal cartilage behind the left half of the sternum; it passes obliquely upward, forward, and to the right, in the direction of the heart’s...
. The musical high frequency component is best heard at the cardiac apex
Apex of the heart
The apex of the heart is the lowest superficial part of the heart.It is directed downward, forward, and to the left, and is overlapped by the left lung and pleura.-External anatomy:...
. The presence of a murmur at the apex can be misinterpreted as mitral regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation , mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence is a disorder of the heart in which the mitral valve does not close properly when the heart pumps out blood. It is the abnormal leaking of blood from the left ventricle, through the mitral valve, and into the left atrium, when...
. However, the apical murmur of the Gallavardin phenomenon does not radiate to the left axilla and is accentuated by a slowing of the heart rate
Heart rate
Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, typically expressed as beats per minute . Heart rate can vary as the body's need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as during exercise or sleep....
(such as a compensatory pause after a premature beat
Premature ventricular contraction
A premature ventricular contraction , also known as a premature ventricular complex, ventricular premature contraction , ventricular premature beat , or extrasystole, is a relatively common event where the heartbeat is initiated by the heart ventricles rather than by the sinoatrial node, the...
) whereas the mitral regurgitation murmur does not change.
The sign is named after Louis Gallavardin
Louis Gallavardin
Louis Gallavardin was a French physician and cardiologist remembered for the Gallavardin phenomenon.- Biography :...
, having been described by Gallavardin and Ravault in 1925.