Auscultation

Revision as of 13:21, 2 October 2012 by Prashanthsaddala (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Laennec auscultates a patient before his students

WikiDoc Resources for Auscultation

Articles

Most recent articles on Auscultation

Most cited articles on Auscultation

Review articles on Auscultation

Articles on Auscultation in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Auscultation

Images of Auscultation

Photos of Auscultation

Podcasts & MP3s on Auscultation

Videos on Auscultation

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Auscultation

Bandolier on Auscultation

TRIP on Auscultation

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Auscultation at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Auscultation

Clinical Trials on Auscultation at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Auscultation

NICE Guidance on Auscultation

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Auscultation

CDC on Auscultation

Books

Books on Auscultation

News

Auscultation in the news

Be alerted to news on Auscultation

News trends on Auscultation

Commentary

Blogs on Auscultation

Definitions

Definitions of Auscultation

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Auscultation

Discussion groups on Auscultation

Patient Handouts on Auscultation

Directions to Hospitals Treating Auscultation

Risk calculators and risk factors for Auscultation

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Auscultation

Causes & Risk Factors for Auscultation

Diagnostic studies for Auscultation

Treatment of Auscultation

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Auscultation

International

Auscultation en Espanol

Auscultation en Francais

Business

Auscultation in the Marketplace

Patents on Auscultation

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Auscultation

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Auscultation is the technical term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope; based on the Latin verb auscultare "to listen". Auscultation is performed for the purposes of examining the circulatory system and respiratory system (heart sounds and breath sounds), as well as the gastrointestinal system (bowel sounds).

Historical Perspective

The technical term was invented by René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laënnec, a French physician, however the act of listening to body sounds for diagnostic purposes has its origin further back in history, possibly as early as Ancient Egypt. Laënnec's contribution was to document formally the procedure and relevant findings in his book "De l'auscultation médiate", published in 1819. Laënnec's contribution to the field went further, not only documenting clinical findings, but inventing the requisite device in the form of the first stethoscope, a wooden trumpet that allowed him to listen to female patients without having to place his ears to their breasts.

Electronic stethoscopes can enhance and improve the audio quality of auscultation and make it easier to differentiate the sounds. Developed in the early 1960s, an electronic stethoscope made by Francis Andries flew on the Space Shuttle in 1970's. The electronic stethoscope also allows for recording of sounds and transmission for the purposes of telemedicine, or remote diagnosis.

Technique

Auscultation is a skill that requires substantial clinical experience, and good listening skills. Doctors listen to three main organs/ organ systems during auscultation: the heart, lungs, and the gastrointestinal system. When auscultating the heart, doctors listen for abnormal sounds including heart murmurs, gallops, and other extra sounds coinciding with heartbeats. Heart rate is also noted. When listening to lungs, breath sounds such as wheezes and crackles are identified. The gastrointestinal system is auscultated to note the presence of bowel sounds.

Learning the accurate and reliable interpretation of auscultation findings has been improved by recent technological advances. There is a web site, www.andries.com with sample heart sounds and on line self teaching, the Auscultation Assistant[2], "provides heart sounds, heart murmurs, and breath sounds in order to help medical students and others improve their physical diagnosis skills".

Normal and Abnormal Heart Sounds on Auscultation

{{#ev:youtube|qCG_xoSUA5k}}

Related Chapters

External links


id:Auskultasi


Template:WikiDoc Sources