Phonocardiography – An Introduction
Given by Chris Astill-Smith D.O., Diplomate I.C.A.K.
A Phonocardiogram is a recording of the sounds and murmurs made by the heart with the help of a digital stethoscope, of the sounds made by the heart during a cardiac cycle. The sounds are a result from vibrations created by closure of the heart valves.
There are at least two: the first when the atrio-ventricular valves close at the beginning of systole and the second when the aortic and pulmonary valves close at the end of systole. It allows the detection of sub-audible sounds and murmurs, and makes a permanent record of these events.