left ventricular third heart sounds
Last reviewed 09/2021
The LV third heart sound is maximal at the apex when the patient is inclined to the left. It may be a normal finding in children, young adults and during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Possible causes of a LV third heart sound include:
- a raised left atrial pressure e.g. LV failure and severe mitral regurgitation
- a large anterior infarct, irrespective of left atrial pressure