ejection click

ejection click,

a sharp, clicking sound arising from near the heart. It may be caused by sudden swelling of a pulmonary artery, abrupt dilation of the aorta, or forceful opening of the aortic cusps. Ejection clicks are often heard during examination of individuals with septal defects or patent ductus arteriosus. Although they are associated with high pulmonary resistance and hypertension, they are common and of no clinical significance in pregnant women and in many other healthy people. Compare systolic click. See also ejection sound.

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ejection click

A cardiac sound in early systole, related to cardiac dilation or HTN in the great vessels–aorta and pulmonary artery; ECs may be so close to the first heart sound that they simulate a splitting thereof; aortic ECs are constant and best heard at the left lower sternal border, and occur with aortic dilation–aortic stenosis, Fallot's tetralogy, truncus arteriosus; pulmonary ECs occur with pulmonary stenosis, are best heard at the left midsternum and disappear with inspiration; a midsystolic EC heard at the apex preceding a late systolic murmur, suggests mitral valve prolapse