Aortic Regurgitation

Question 1

What are the aetiologies of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 1

Rheumatic fever
Infective endocarditis
Mxymatous degeneration

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 2

Reflux of blood from aorta into left ventricle during diastole
To maintain net cardiac output, total volume of blood pumped into aorta must increase and this left ventricular size increases
Diastolic pressure falls and coronary perfusion is decreased
Larger ventricular size increases oxygen demand and cardiac ischaemia develops

Question 3

What are the symptoms of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 3

Significant symptoms don’t develop till after left ventricular failure
Pounding of the heart
Angina
Dyspnoea

Question 4

What are the signs of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 4

Pulse is large volume, bounding or collapsing
Apex beat is displaced laterally and downwards
Murmur is diastolic and high pitched