Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic valve regurgitation or aortic regurgitation is a condition in which the heart’s aortic valve doesn't close tightly. Aortic valve regurgitation allows some of the blood that was pumped out of the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) to leak back into it. The leakage may prevent the heart from efficiently pumping blood to the rest of the body.

 

Symptoms:

•  Fatigue and weakness, especially when you increase your activity level
•  Shortness of breath with exercise or when you lie down
•  Swollen ankles and feet
•  Chest pain (angina), discomfort or tightness, often increasing during exercise
•  Lightheadedness or fainting
•  Irregular pulse (arrhythmia)
•  Heart murmur
•  Sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)

 

Diagnoses:

•  Echocardiogram
•  Electrocardiogram (ECG). 
•  Chest X-ray. 
•  Exercise tests or stress tests.
•  Cardiac MRI. 
•  Cardiac catheterization.

 

Treatment:

Surgery (Aortic valve repair or Aortic valve replacement)