Systolic honk in heart failure: Its origin and mechanism of production

Abstract

Systolic honks have so far been synonymous with prolapse of the mitral valve leaflet. Evidence of tricuspid valve involvement in two cases is presented. These patients developed systolic honk during the deterioration of their congestive heart failure. Simultaneous recordings of echocardiograms and phonocardiograms showed fluttering of the tricuspid valve, coinciding with the systolic honk. This fluttering was not seen when honk was absent. The mechanism of production of this honk is discussed.