With careful auscultation, vou can often detect splitting of the heart sounds. It is more evident during inhalation when thoracic pressure changes enough to allow the valves to close at slightly different times. For instance, second heart sound (S2) splitting results from nonsimultaneous closures between aortic (A2) and pulmonary valves (P2) and may be used to detect timing differences in relaxation between right and left ventricle. Abnormal splitting of heart sounds may be heard with heart block, septal defects, hypertension, and other causes. EXPTRATION INSPIFAITIN A. Normal S11S2A2P2S11S2A2P2 B Atrial septal defect C Expiratory spliting with inspiratory S11S2A2P2 increase (RBBB; idiopathic dilatation PA) D. Reversed splitting (LBBB, aortic stenosis) E Close lixed splitting (puimonary hypertension) Sourcen i. Lameson, A. S. Fauc, D.L Kaspe, S.L Haver, D.L Longo, 2. Loscalio: Hacrison's Mancual of Medicine. Twenteeth Eotition. Using the diagram above, diagnose a patient with S2 splitting in which the pulmonary valves close later and louder than the aortic valves during both inspiration and expiration. pulmonary hypertension aortic stenosis normal atrial septal defect.