Functional murmur explained

A functional murmur (innocent murmur, physiologic murmur) is a heart murmur that is primarily due to physiologic conditions outside the heart, as opposed to structural defects in the heart itself. Serious conditions can arise even in the absence of a primary heart defect, and it is possible for peripheral conditions to generate abnormalities in the heart. Therefore, caution should be applied to use of the terms "innocent" or "benign" in this context.Use of the term dates to the mid 19th century.^[1]

Benign pediatric heart murmur

Functional murmurs are an important consideration in the precordial examination of an infant or child.

Presentation

• Soft, less than 3/6 in intensity (although note that even when structural heart disease is present, intensity does not predict severity.)
• Often position-dependent. Murmurs heard while supine and may disappear when upright or sitting.^[2]
• Otherwise healthy individual, no concerns about growth, no symptoms of heart failure such as dyspnea on exertion. (In infants, ask if the baby cries during feeding, becomes diaphoretic, or develops a rapid respiratory rate. In older children, this can be elucidated by asking whether or not the child can keep up with peers during play.)
• Occurs during systole or continuously during both systole and diastole. (Murmurs occurring only during diastole are usually pathologic, but can also be heard during hyperdynamic states.)
• Physiologic splitting of S2 (A2 and P2 components should only be resolvable during inspiration and should merge during expiration.)
• No palpable thrill (A thrill is a vibration caused by turbulent blood flow.)

Diagnosis

Types, and DDx

Benign Paediatric Heart Murmurs!Name!Location!DDx

Still's murmur^[3]	inferior aspect of LLSB (lower left sternal border), systolic ejection sound, vibratory/musical quality	subaortic stenosis, small VSD
Pulmonary ejection	superior aspect of LLSB, ejection sound	Pulmonary stenosis, atrial septal defect
Venous hum	Infraclavicular throughout the cardiac cycle (right side > left side), diminishes with jugular vein palpation or neck turning	PDA
Supraclavicular arterial bruit (Systemic Flow Murmur)	Above clavicles	aortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve
Peripheral pulmonary stenosis (Pulmonary flow murmur)	High-pitch with radiation to back and armpit	PDA, pulmonary stenosis

In the adult, hyperdynamic circulation of the blood may also produce a functional murmur, such as in anemia or thyrotoxicosis.

Prognosis

Innocent murmurs are inconsequential^[4] and usually disappear as the child grows. ECG and Chest XRAY are normal.

See also

• Heart murmur
• Precordial examination
• Ventricular septal defect

References

6. Circulation 2005: Innocent Murmurs http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/111/3/e20

External links

• Heart Murmurs in Pediatric Patients: When Do You Refer? - AAFP

Notes and References

1. LUISADA AA . The functional murmur: the laying to rest of a ghost . Dis Chest . 27 . 5 . 579–81 . May 1955 . 14365576 . 10.1378/chest.27.5.579.
2. Thomas Biancaniello. Innocent Murmurs Circulation. 2005; 111: e20-e22.
3. Joffe HS . Genesis of Still's innocent systolic murmur . Br Heart J . 67 . 2 . 206 . February 1992 . 1540448 . 1024759 . 10.1136/hrt.67.2.206-b.
4. Web site: Innocent Heart Murmurs . Jan 11, 2016.