Evaluation of asymptomatic heart murmurs

Cardiac murmurs are a common finding in asymptomatic paediatric patients. The most common causes are innocent murmurs and minor structural heart disease. Beyond the age of 6 weeks patients are unlikely to have major underlying heart disease. Presentation of asymptomatic murmurs may be variable and assessment strategies depend on the age of the patient and should include clinical examination with measurement of blood pressure, evaluation for presence of cyanosis, electrocardiogram and echocardiography in selected patients.