Which murmur is commonly associated with mitral regurgitation?

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by a holosystolic (or pansystolic) blowing murmur. This type of murmur occurs throughout the entire phase of ventricular systole, starting with the first heart sound (S1) and continuing until the second heart sound (S2). This reflects the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during ventricular contraction, creating a continuous sound that is often described as "blowing."

In patients with mitral regurgitation, the murmur is typically best heard at the apex of the heart and may also be transmitted to the left axilla. The quality of the murmur is essential in differentiating it from other cardiac murmurs associated with other conditions, underscoring the importance of recognizing this hallmark feature during a cardiac examination.

Understanding this helps in identifying and diagnosing mitral regurgitation effectively, as the other murmurs mentioned are linked to different cardiac abnormalities and settings that do not pertain to the backflow associated with mitral valve incompetence.