ECCO Cardiovascular Disorders Practice Test

A summation gallop is characterized by the presence of all four heart sounds: S1, S2, S3, and S4. This condition typically occurs in patients with heart failure or volume overload, where the heart rhythm includes the audible third and fourth heart sounds occurring closely together. The overlapping of S3 and S4 creates a unique sound that can resemble a gallop rhythm, hence the term "summation gallop."

The presence of S1 and S2 alone does not indicate a summation gallop. If S3 is absent or S4 is alone, it would not fulfill the criteria needed to declare it a summation gallop. Similarly, if only S3 is audible, it does not reflect the overlapping sounds necessary for this condition. The recognition of all four heart sounds aids in identifying specific underlying cardiovascular issues, making it pivotal in clinical assessment.