Cervical Venous Hums in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

THE cervical venous hum has long been recognized as a common benign auscultatory finding, particularly in children and young adults.1 2 3 4 Although it is often a prominent finding in hyperdynamic circulatory states, such as thyrotoxicosis and anemia, previous studies have indicated that one quarter to one half of a normal adult population may have venous hums.5 6 7 When the cervical venous hum is very loud, it may radiate to the upper thorax and may be confused with murmurs of aortic regurgitation, patent ductus arteriosus, or arteriovenous fistulas.2 3 4 , 6 , 7 We have observed that cervical venous hums are often very prominent in patients on chronic . . .