What is the Austin Flint murmur?

The Austin Flint murmur refers to a specific type of heart murmur associated with aortic regurgitation. It is characterized by the reverberation of the regurgitant flow of blood from the aorta back into the left ventricle during diastole. This occurs as the flow creates a back-and-forth movement that leads to turbulence and the resultant sound heard through a stethoscope.

In the context of aortic regurgitation, the left ventricle experiences volume overload due to the backward flow of blood. This unique murmur can often be mistaken for a mitral stenosis murmur because it is typically a low-pitched diastolic sound, but it has its origin in the pathological process occurring with aortic regurgitation rather than mitral valve obstruction.

Understanding the mechanics contributing to the Austin Flint murmur is essential for differentiating it from other cardiac sounds and for proper diagnosis and management of patients with valvular heart disease.