The significance of basal systolic murmurs in the elderly.

Aortic stenosis is common in the elderly. Basal systolic murmurs are also common. We studied 512 patients over the age of 65 years to ascertain the prevalence of basal systolic murmurs and by using echocardiography on those with basal murmurs to determine the prevalence of significant aortic stenosis. 29% (148) of patients had basal systolic murmurs. 81 (55%) patients of this group had echocardiography carried out and 21 (25.9%) had a gradient across the aortic valve of 30 mmHg or more.