Which murmur is characterized by a blowing quality and is associated with aortic regurgitation?

The murmur associated with aortic regurgitation is characterized as a diastolic decrescendo murmur, which has a distinct blowing quality. This type of murmur occurs during diastole when the heart fills with blood, particularly after the aortic valve has closed. In aortic regurgitation, blood flows back into the left ventricle from the aorta, creating turbulence that results in this distinctive sound.

This murmur typically has a high-pitched quality and may be best heard along the left sternal border, often accentuated in a sitting position, especially if the patient leans forward. The decrescendo nature of the murmur indicates that its intensity diminishes over the course of diastole, which is integral to understanding how it differentiates from other types of heart murmurs.

Identifying this characteristic is vital for clinicians, as it can help in diagnosing aortic regurgitation and assessing its severity based on the intensity and quality of the murmur.