Cardiac Assessment

• To assess cardiac function, the paramedic must understand the cardiac cycle
• Auscultated sounds

  • **S1**	Systole	Closing of the mitral and tricuspid valves	Auscultate at the second intercostal space, medially
    **S2**	End of systole	Closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves	Auscultate at the left lower sternal border
    **__Bruits__**	Systole	Turbulent blood flow around a ≥80% obstruction	Auscultate with a bell over the obstruction