Loud P2 on Cardiac Auscultation: A Useful Clinical Clue to Fluid Overload

Patients with renal disease are at risk of fluid overload which escalates as the disease progresses. In the present study, we evaluated the increase in the intensity of the second heart sound generated by its pulmonary component (P2) and its correlation with fluid overload in such patients. To confirm its potentials and avoid interference with patients with cardiac disease; we included only those who lacked echocardiographic evidence of (a) ASD or VSD, (b) primary cardiac defects associated with high P2 viz pulmonary aneurysm, mitral stenosis and myocardial disease, (c) primary cardiac defects associated with soft P2 viz pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary atresia and tetralogy of Fallot, (d) primary cardiac defects associated with low A2 viz mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, low diastolic arterial pressure, severe immobile aortic valve disease. To assess the extent of fluid overload; the clinical examination was complemented with radiological imaging as well as the echocardiographic measurement of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. There was a significant correlation between P2 intensity and fluid changes. In conclusion; load P2 is a useful clinical clue to fluid overload and decline in its intensity correlates with the extent of fluid removal.