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Highlights & Basics
- Aortic regurgitation (AR) is the diastolic leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV).
- Chronic AR may be asymptomatic for years until overt symptoms of congestive heart failure develop. Initial symptoms can include palpitations and uncomfortable awareness of the pounding heart when lying on the left side.
- Acute AR is a medical emergency, presenting with sudden onset of pulmonary edema and hypotension or cardiogenic shock. May also present as myocardial ischemia or aortic root dissection.
- Echocardiography is the best noninvasive test to diagnose and grade the severity of AR.
- Vasodilator therapy improves hemodynamics and delays the need for aortic valve replacement/repair (AVR) in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe AR.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Causes of AR
Parasternal long-axis view demonstrating aortic regurgitation jet
Parasternal long-axis view demonstrating aortic regurgitation jet width and height
Parasternal long-axis view demonstrating left ventricular outflow tract diameter
Parasternal long-axis view showing vena contracta of the aortic regurgitation jet
Pulsed wave Doppler of the regurgitant jet
Continuous wave Doppler of the regurgitant jet demonstrating pressure half-time of the aortic regurgitant velocity
Stages A and B of aortic regurgitation
Stages C and D of aortic regurgitation
Citations
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Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, et al. 2021 ESC/EACTS guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. Eur Heart J. 2022 Feb 12;43(7):561-632.[Abstract][Full Text]
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