Aortic Insufficiency

Aortic insufficiency (regurgitation) is retrograde flow from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole, due to valve cusp disease (rheumatic/bicuspid/endocarditis) or aortic root dilation. Clinical: bounding pulses, wide pulse pressure, diastolic murmur, dyspnea, heart failure. Treatment: manage HF (ACEi/diuretics); treat underlying aortic root disease; aortic valve replacement once symptomatic or with LV dysfunction/dilatation; endocarditis prophylaxis.

Common Symptoms

Dyspnea/heart failure; bounding pulses/wide pulse pressure; diastolic murmur; by acute/chronic

Causes and Pathogenesis

Cusp disease or aortic-root dilation causes incomplete diastolic closure and LV volume overload.

Treatment

Manage HF; treat root disease; AVR once symptomatic/LV dysfunction; prophylaxis

Preventive Measures

Echo surveillance; treat endocarditis/root disease; prophylaxis.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Cardiology/Cardiac-surgery department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.