Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What type of heart murmur is usually found in cases of Tricuspid Atresia?

1. Diastolic murmur

2. Continuous murmur

3. Pansystolic murmur

4. Early systolic murmur

The correct answer is: Pansystolic murmur

In cases of Tricuspid Atresia, the presence of a pansystolic murmur is commonly observed due to the pathological changes associated with the condition. Tricuspid Atresia is characterized by the absence or hypoplasia of the tricuspid valve, which prevents normal blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle. As a result, blood from the right atrium is redirected through an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO) into the left atrium, creating abnormal pressure and flow patterns. The pansystolic murmur is typically associated with blood flowing through the ventricular septal defect (VSD) that may co-exist with Tricuspid Atresia. This defect allows blood to flow from the left ventricle into the right ventricle and subsequently into the pulmonary arterial system. The continuous or turbulent flow during ventricular contraction leads to the characteristic sound of a pansystolic murmur, which is heard throughout the entirety of systole. Understanding the pathology and hemodynamic alterations in Tricuspid Atresia aids in recognizing why a pansystolic murmur is present, rather than other types of murmurs which are less representative of the