Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Aortic insufficiency (AI), also known as aortic regurgitation (AR), is the leaking of the aortic valve of the heart that causes blood to flow in the reverse direction during ventricular diastole, from the aorta into the left ventricle.

What causes aortic valve regurgitation?

About half of the cases of aortic insufficiency are due to the aortic root dilatation, which has no known cause in over 80% of cases, but otherwise occurs with aging and hypertension, Marfan syndrome, aortic dissection, and syphilis. In about 15% the cause is innate bicuspidal aortic valve, while another 15% cases are due to complications from diseases such as rheumatic fever.

How is it treated ?

Medical therapy of chronic aortic insufficiency involves the use of vasodilators, such as ACE inhibitors, nifedipine, and hydralazine. These would normally be used with individuals who suffer from hypertension in addition to AI (aortic insufficiency).

The surgical treatment of choice at this time is an aortic valve replacement. Learn more about valve replacement options.