Pericardial friction rub

System: Heart & Circulation Signs · All heart & circulation signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

A scratchy, grating sound heard through the stethoscope, often in three phases, that persists when the patient holds their breath.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with pericarditis — inflammation of the sac around the heart.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.