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Different types of apex beat

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • thrusting displaced apex beat is caused by volume overload: an active large stroke volume ventricle eg aortic or mitral regurgitation or left to right shunts.
  • sustained apex beat is caused by pressure overload eg aortic stenosis, gross hypertension.
  • tapping apex beat - mitral stenosis.
  • diffuse pulsation asynchronous with apex beat - left ventricular aneurysm.
  • double or triple impulse may occur in hypertrophic obstructive myopathy.
  • an impalpable apex beat - obesity, overinflated chest, pericardial effusion. Also consider dextrocardia.

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