What characterizes the murmur of mitral regurgitation?

The murmur of mitral regurgitation is characterized as pansystolic (also known as holosystolic) and typically has a high-pitched sound. This type of murmur occurs throughout the entire duration of systole, starting with the first heart sound and ending with the second heart sound, due to the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium due to the improper closure of the mitral valve during ventricular contraction.

The high-pitched quality can often be attributed to the turbulence of blood flow through the regurgitant orifice, and it is best heard at the apex of the heart, often radiating toward the left axilla. This specific characteristic helps differentiate it from murmurs related to other cardiac conditions, ensuring accurate diagnosis and management in clinical practice.