An introduction to aortic regurgitation

Abstract

The valvular heart disease condition, aortic regurgitation, occurs as a result of an abnormality of the aortic valve or the aortic root, or a disease process that may affect both the valve and the aortic root. Aortic regurgitation can occur as either an acute severe problem or presentation or as a chronic problem and presentation. This article considers the pathophysiology and causes, progression and natural history of the disease process, clinical presentation and findings on examination and the diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests per formed to confirm the diagnosis will be explored, including echocardiography, exercise tolerance testing, chest X-ray, and electrocardiogram. The role of medical therapy and surgical aortic valve replacement is also discussed.