Paracentesis is also often done in the region of the normal apex beat.

This irregular ventricular contraction sometimes displaces the apex beat.

The heart's apex beat in the sixth interspace in the nipple line, and the precordial dulness was somewhat increased.

With the acute myocarditis developing, the apex beat is less positive, less accentuated, and later it becomes diffuse and even feeble.

The heart is found enlarged, the apex beat diffuse and there may be a systolic blow at the mitral or tricuspid valve.