The significance of 'snaps' and 'clicks' on cardiac auscultation

Short, high-pitched sounds ('snaps' or 'clicks') are a frequent finding upon auscultation of both symptomatic and entirely asymptomatic patients with heart disease. These sounds very frequently indicate structural changes in the valves. While these changes may or may not be of hemodynamic significance, the patient is at considerable risk of infective endocarditis in many of these disorders. Patients presenting with these sounds should, in most cases, be advised to have antibiotics prior to any dental or surgical manipulation.