holosystolische

Holosystolic refers to a heart murmur that lasts throughout the entire systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Systole is the period when the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out to the body. A holosystolic murmur indicates that blood is leaking back through a valve or a defect in the heart for the entire duration of this contraction.

These murmurs are often heard with significant mitral regurgitation, where the mitral valve between the left atrium and left ventricle does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium during systole. Tricuspid regurgitation, a similar issue with the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, can also cause holosystolic murmurs. Ventricular septal defects, which are holes between the two ventricles, can also produce this type of murmur, as blood flows from the higher-pressure left ventricle to the lower-pressure right ventricle throughout systole.

The sound of a holosystolic murmur is typically described as a continuous, blowing, or harsh noise that starts with the first heart sound (S1) and continues until the second heart sound (S2). Its presence often suggests a significant structural abnormality within the heart and warrants further investigation by a medical professional. Diagnosis usually involves an echocardiogram to visualize the heart's structure and function and determine the exact cause of the murmur. Treatment depends on the underlying condition and its severity.