A 20-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF "INNOCENT" MURMURS

Abstract

One hundred fifty-four phonocardiograms showing vibratory "innocuous" systolic murmurs were chosen from a group taken in 1939. Of the patients, 139 now adults were located; 96 were re-examined by history, physical examination, roentgenograms, electrocardiograms, and a repeated phonocardiogram. Two of this group had heart disease, presumably related to the childhood murmur. Two individuals had heart disease not related to the previous murmurs. Despite the fact that not all 154 could be located, the low 20-year incidence of heart disease and the complete disappearance of the murmur in 80% of those examined appear to indicate the great likelihood that the childhood vibratory, low-frequency, mid-systolic apical and precordial murmur is indeed innocuous and should not be taken as evidence of heart disease unless there is other evidence.