Aortic sclerosis physical examination

Overview
While a short mid-systolic murmur may be heard in aortic sclerosis, there is no fusion of the commisures and no significant obstruction to forward flow across the aortic valve. As a result, the S2 is normal in aortic sclerosis and the carotid upstroke is normal (i.e. pulsus parvus et tardus) is absent.

Physical Examination

 * Normal S2
 * Systolic murmur
 * Short mid-systolic murmur
 * Best heard at right second intercostal space


 * Absence of bilateral radiation to the carotid arteries and normal S2 helps to differentiate aortic sclerosis murmur from aortic stenosis murmur