A 65-year-old woman came for a routine annual check-up found to have a harsh ejection systolic murmur, which propagated to the neck. Which of the following factors is the most impo... A 65-year-old woman came for a routine annual check-up found to have a harsh ejection systolic murmur, which propagated to the neck. Which of the following factors is the most important in deciding the time of the surgery? A. Low pulse pressure B. Intensity of the murmur C. The patient's symptoms D. Left ventricular hypertrophy
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about a clinical scenario involving a 65-year-old woman with a specific heart sound (harsh ejection systolic murmur) that is important in deciding the timing of surgery. It presents several factors related to heart conditions and requires identifying which factor is most critical in this context.
Answer
The patient's symptoms.
The most important factor in deciding the time of the surgery is the patient's symptoms.
Answer for screen readers
The most important factor in deciding the time of the surgery is the patient's symptoms.
More Information
In valvular heart disease, particularly aortic stenosis, the presence of symptoms such as chest pain, syncope, or dyspnea is critical in determining the timing of surgical intervention.
Tips
A common mistake is focusing on the intensity of the murmur; however, it’s the presence of symptoms that primarily dictates the need for surgery.
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