What type of murmur is commonly associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD)?

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) typically gives rise to a holosystolic murmur, also known as a pansystolic murmur. This is because the defect allows blood to flow from the left ventricle, which has higher pressure during systole, into the right ventricle, which has lower pressure. The murmur begins with the first heart sound and continues throughout systole until the second heart sound, reflecting the continuous flow of blood across the defect during the entire systolic phase.

In cases of a VSD, the loudness and location of the murmur can vary depending on the size of the defect and the pulmonary blood flow. A larger defect often produces a louder murmur due to greater blood shunting from left to right. Recognizing this characteristic is essential because a holosystolic murmur is a prominent indicator of hemodynamic changes in congenital heart defects, particularly in pediatric patients.