Overview
Palpating the praecordium for palpable heaves and thrills may provide valuable clues regarding the patient's cardiac pathology.
Parasternal Heave
Left parasternal heave is a sign of right ventricular hypertrophy.
How to Elicit
- Place the thenar eminence of the hand over the left side of the sternum, palpating for an abnormal pulsation.
Palpable Thrill
A thrill is a palpable murmur. The location corresponds to the affected valve.
Feel For
- Vibratory movement of the chest wall caused by turbulent flow over a heart valve.
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