Atrial Fibrillation with Grade 2 Systolic Murmur

Amara H. Estrada, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), University of Florida

ArticleSeptember 20141 min read

A rapid and irregular heart beat is auscultated in this heart sound. 

Some beats are softer than others, but the rhythm is irregular. There is also a grade 2/6 systolic murmur heard with the louder beats. This type of rhythm, which can sound like tennis shoes in a dryer or bongo drums, is characteristic of atrial fibrillation with mitral insufficiency.