Analyses were made of 52 phonocardiograms recorded in 42 cases of hyperthyroidism using a multi-filter system phonocardiograph and a dynamic microphone.
(1) The first heart sound was accentuated, but the Q-I interval fell within the normal range in all cases.
(2) The Q-II interval was shortened out of proportion to the heart rate. The second heart sound frequently splitted and the pulmonic component of the second heart sound was accentuated.
(3) The third heart sound was accentuated. The fourth heart sound had a trend of accentuation, but it was inaudible except in 3 cases with presystolic click.
(4) A systolic murmur was found in all cases. It was an early peaked ejection systolic murmur in graphic configuration irrespective of the area of maximal intensity.
(5) A mid-diastolic murmur of the Carey Coombs type was disclosed at the apex in 7 cases, of which one had a concomitant right-sided Carey Coombs murmur on the left lower sternal border.
(6) The above-mentioned phonocardiographic findings and their significances were discussed, especially in relation to clinical severity of hyperthyroidism.
The mid-diastolic murmur may be considered to be due not only to absolutely increased flow load, but to relatively increased overloading on the damaged heart, which was clinically suggested from the enlargedheart and electrocardiographic changes. The differentiation from mitral stenosis was easily made by the following observations; the normal Q-I interval, the reduced mechanical systolic period, the absence of openning snap, the Carey Coombs type of the diastolic murmur and the response of the heart sounds and murmurs to antithyroid drug.
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