Best location to hear problems with the aortic valve?

• A. 2nd left intercostal space
• B. 2nd right intercostal space
• C. Erb's point
• D. Apex

Answer: (B)

The aortic valve sits at the right upper chest, so problems with it are heard best at the right second intercostal space near the sternal border. Listening there targets the aortic valve as blood flows from the left ventricle into the aorta, making murmurs from aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation most conspicuous. The left second intercostal space is the pulmonic area, Erb’s point (around the left sternal border) is a general listening spot for many murmurs, and the apex (left 5th intercostal space midclavicular) is the mitral area. Thus, for aortic valve pathology, the right upper sternal border is the ideal site.