Prevalence and characteristics of the aortic ejection sound in adults.

A survey of 1,950 phonocardiograms recorded over a 6-year period revealed 170 (9%) with a distinct aortic ejection sound. All patients were men with a mean age of 61 years (range 29 to 88). Associated clinical features were: aortic stenosis in 28%, history of systemic hypertension in 10%, history of rheumatic fever in 4% and none of these features in 58% of patients.