Question

Difficulty: EasyPediatric Cardiovascular Disorders

Match each classic physical examination finding or auscultatory feature with the most likely associated pediatric congenital heart defect.

  • Continuous 'machine-like' murmur heard best at the left infraclavicular areaPatent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  • Fixed, widely split S2 with a systolic ejection murmur at the left upper sternal borderAtrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Harsh holosystolic murmur heard best at the left lower sternal borderVentricular septal defect (VSD)
  • Upper extremity hypertension with weak, delayed, or absent femoral pulsesCoarctation of the aorta

Answer

The correct matches are: Continuous machine-like murmur with Patent ductus arteriosus; Fixed, widely split S2 with Atrial septal defect; Harsh holosystolic murmur with Ventricular septal defect; and Upper extremity hypertension with delayed femoral pulses with Coarctation of the aorta.
Each listed congenital heart defect produces distinct, classic hemodynamic changes that manifest as pathognomonic physical exam findings. PDA creates continuous aorta-to-pulmonary flow. ASD creates right heart volume overload leading to a fixed split S2. VSD causes high-velocity systolic flow between ventricles. Coarctation physically restricts distal aortic flow, leading to a pressure differential between the upper and lower extremities.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze each physical examination finding to determine the underlying hemodynamic abnormality.
Identified continuous flow (left 1), right heart volume overload (left 2), systolic interventricular flow (left 3), and distal aortic obstruction (left 4).
Connecting clinical signs to pathophysiology is essential for diagnosing congenital heart defects.
2
Match the hemodynamic abnormality to the corresponding anatomical defect.
Aorta-to-pulmonary artery connection matches PDA. Interatrial connection matches ASD. Interventricular connection matches VSD. Aortic narrowing matches Coarctation.
Each structural defect predictably produces specific, pathognomonic physical findings.

Key Concept

Classic clinical presentations of major acyanotic congenital heart defects
Estimated Time:45s
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