How is mitral valve prolapse characterized auscultation-wise?

Mitral valve prolapse is characterized by the presence of a mid-systolic click, which occurs when the prolapsed mitral valve leaflets snap back into place during ventricular contraction. This phenomenon can be followed by a late systolic murmur due to the regurgitation of blood through the valve if it becomes significantly incompetent. The classic auscultatory findings associated with mitral valve prolapse are thus a systolic click followed by a systolic murmur, particularly if there is mitral regurgitation present.

The mid-systolic click is a key hallmark that distinguishes this condition during auscultation, as it indicates the sudden tensing of the chordae tendineae and the valve annulus. As the ventricular pressure rises during systole, if the mitral valve leaflets do not close properly, it can cause blood to flow back into the left atrium, leading to a characteristic murmur.

The other options describe findings associated with different cardiac conditions, which do not align with the typical auscultation pattern seen in mitral valve prolapse. For example, a diastolic murmur with an S3 gallop is often associated with heart failure or volume overload states, while a continuous murmur with a fixed split