pericardial friction rub

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is produced by pericarditis. The murmur sounds closer to the stethoscope and coincides with heart movement in midsystole and during ventricular filling. All these features are louder during inspiration when increased flow of blood into the heart increases the apposition of pericardial layers.

The sound of the friction rub is like a 'snowball being rolled in the snow'.