A patient with aortic stenosis is most likely to present with which finding?

In aortic stenosis, the most characteristic clinical finding is a mid-systolic murmur, often described as a "crescendo-decrescendo" sound. This murmur occurs due to the turbulent blood flow through the narrowed aortic valve during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle, specifically when the left ventricle contracts to eject blood into the aorta.

The presence of this specific type of murmur is critical for the diagnosis of aortic stenosis, as it indicates the increased velocity of blood flow (due to the obstruction) at this phase. In addition to the murmur, patients with aortic stenosis may also exhibit other physical findings and symptoms, including a weak or delayed pulse and signs of heart failure. However, the mid-systolic murmur remains the hallmark auscultatory finding associated with the condition.