Overview
Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve fails to close completely during diastole.
Chronic regurgitation produces left ventricular volume overload, while acute severe regurgitation can cause rapid hemodynamic deterioration.
Clinical Features
Chronic disease may cause exertional dyspnea, palpitations, and eventually heart failure.
Examination may reveal a high-pitched early diastolic murmur and a widened pulse pressure.
Investigation
Echocardiography assesses regurgitation severity, ventricular dimensions, valve anatomy, and associated aortic disease.
Management
Management depends on severity, symptoms, ventricular response, and the underlying cause. Severe symptomatic disease may require valve surgery.
Clinical Pearls
Aortic regurgitation is classically a diastolic murmur caused by retrograde flow from the aorta into the left ventricle.
END OF REVIEW
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