Why the study?
Are electrocardiogram and echocardiogram necessary in the initial evaluation of heart murmurs in children and adolescents compared to clinical examination alone?
Population
161 children and adolescents referred for heart murmurs.
Comparison
Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram vs Clinical examination by a pediatric cardiologist
Design
Cohort
Authors
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Supports limiting echocardiography for innocent murmurs diagnosed by experienced pediatric cardiologists; leaves open need for prospective validation before practice change.
Are electrocardiogram and echocardiogram necessary in the initial evaluation of heart murmurs in children and adolescents compared to clinical examination alone?
Clinical examination by an experienced pediatric cardiologist is highly accurate for assessing heart murmurs in children, making routine echocardiography unnecessary for clinically diagnosed innocent murmurs.
Smythe et al. (1990) studied this question.
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