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You are currently examining Reggie

What grade is Reggie’s heart murmur?

Select the grade:

  • Grade 1

    Grade 1 heart murmurs are only audible over the point of maximum intensity, are difficult to hear and are quieter than the sounds of the heart.2

  • Grade 2

    Grade 2 heart murmurs are quieter than the sounds of the heart, but immediately audible when a stethoscope is placed over the point of maximum intensity.2

  • Grade 3

    Grade 3 heart murmurs are clinically significant. They are moderately loud and described as being as loud as the heart sounds.2

  • Grade 4

    Grade 4 heart murmurs are clinically significant. They are louder than the heart sounds and can be heard over a wide area.2

  • Grade 5

    Grade 5 heart murmurs are clinically significant. They are very loud and have a palpable precordial thrill.2

  • Grade 6

    Grade 6 heart murmurs are clinically significant. They are very loud, accompanied by a palpable precordial thrill and can be heard with the stethoscope held slightly off the chest wall.2

Listen Again
What grade is Reggie’s heart murmur?

Correct

Reggie has a grade 3 mitral valve disease murmur.

Grade 3 murmurs are moderately loud and are described as being as loud as the heart sounds2. About 50% of dogs with a grade 3 mitral valve disease murmur have cardiomegaly and this percentage increases even more as the murmur intensity increases3. A mitral valve disease murmur of grade 3 or above is therefore clinically significant, since it indicates that the likelihood of cardiomegaly being present is high.

All dogs with a grade 3/6 mitral valve disease murmur or greater should be investigated for cardiomegaly.

The importance of grading MVD murmurs

Nuala Summerfield
  • Founder and Director, Virtual Veterinary Specialists
  • RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology
  • DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology)
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What grade is Reggie’s heart murmur?

Incorrect

Reggie has a grade 3 mitral valve disease murmur.

Grade 3 murmurs are moderately loud and are described as being as loud as the heart sounds2. About 50% of dogs with a grade 3 mitral valve disease murmur have cardiomegaly and this percentage increases even more as the murmur intensity increases3. A mitral valve disease murmur of grade 3 or above is therefore clinically significant, since it indicates that the likelihood of cardiomegaly being present is high.

All dogs with a grade 3/6 mitral valve disease murmur or greater should be investigated for cardiomegaly.

MVD murmurs – when to investigate

Kieran Borgeat
  • American, European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology,
  • Langford Vets, University of Bristol

Reggie’s heart

Normal heart

Compare these two recordings

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