What is the abnormal swishing sound caused by incomplete closure of the heart valves, most likely the mitral/bicuspid valves?

• A. Murmur
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Gallop
• D. Bruit

Answer: (A)

A murmur. When a valve doesn’t close properly, blood leaks backward or flows turbulently, producing a swishing sound heard with a stethoscope. Incomplete closure of the mitral (bicuspid) valve allows blood to regurgitate from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole, creating a holosystolic murmur that is characteristic of mitral valve insufficiency. Murmurs are defined by their timing (systolic or diastolic), location, radiation, and quality, which helps distinguish them from other heart sounds. Arrhythmias refer to irregular rhythms, not a valve sound. A gallop is an extra heart sound (S3 or S4) associated with filling abnormalities, not a murmur from valve closure. A bruit is a vascular noise from arterial turbulence, not a heart valve sound.