What is the clinical relevance of the third heart sound in heart failure?
The presence of a third heart sound has high prognostic and diagnostic value in adults over 40 years old who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with heart failure. A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated the presence of a third heart sound (S3) is 99% specific for heart failure and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The absence of a third heart sound, however, is not sufficient to exclude ventricular dysfunction, so further diagnostic investigations should be considered. Click here to visit Clinical Trials and Events pages to learn more.