A systolic murmur auscultated at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border is indicative of which condition?

A systolic murmur located at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border is indeed indicative of aortic stenosis. This is because aortic stenosis typically produces a characteristic ejection-type systolic murmur that can be heard in this specific area. The 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border is the anatomical location where the aortic valve is best auscultated, and in cases of stenosis, as blood flows through the narrowed valve during systole, it creates turbulence that produces this distinct sound.

The characteristics of the murmur associated with aortic stenosis include being harsh or rough in quality and often accompanied by a diminished and delayed carotid pulse, which can further suggest this condition. Understanding the auscultatory findings and their associated locations on the chest can aid in the diagnosis of various cardiac conditions, and in this case, the murmur's location directly relates to aortic stenosis. Thus, this auscultation finding aligns with the pathophysiology of the condition, confirming that aortic stenosis is the correct interpretation of the murmur described.