Cardiac vortex

A cardiac vortex is the palpatory equivalent of a heart murmur.

We look for the cardiac vortex in the precordium and jugular notch. Unlike a spike beat, it has a longer duration. It is caused by the transmission of the vibrations, which are the source of the heart murmur, to the surface of the chest. It is palpable at a murmur intensity of at least grade 4 (4/6).

Related Articles

 * Vibrating murmur
 * Pulmonary expulsion murmur
 * Whirling venous murmur