What is Aortic Regurgitation?
Aortic regurgitation means that the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta (the largest blood vessel carrying oxygenated blood from the heart) is leaky. The symptoms of aortic valve regurgitation are fatigue,dyspnea, chest pain,and edema.
The causes of aortic valve regurgitation are those that develop after birth(acquired)or before birth (congenital). Congenital aortic regurgitation is often due to a common valve abnormality (bicuspid valve) that worsens over time.
Some causes of acquired aortic regurgitation:
Bicuspid aortic valve (the valve has two large leaflets instead of the normal three)
Rheumatic heart disease (the body’s immune system attacks the valve)
Hypertension (very high blood pressure)
Endocarditis (infection of the valve)
Secondary to dilated aorta (the valve opening is stretched larger and starts to leak)
Treatments:
Valve replacement surgery-mechanical,animal and preserved human valves are commonly used
