Continuous murmur caused by a ventricular septal defect post-myocardial infarction: visual display with a handheld computer.

Abstract

Ventricular septal defects do not typically result in a continuous murmur. The only previously reported case involved a congenital ventricular septal defect. We report a case of an acquired ventricular septal defect following a large anterior myocardial infarction resulting in a continuous murmur. The continUous nature was confirmed both with 2D echocardiography and a specially equipped stethoscope in conjunction with a handheld computer to provide a visual display of the murmur. A proposed mechanism for the continuous murmur was discussed.