Aortic Regurgitation

Question 1

What is the aetiology of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 1

Aorta - dilated aorta or connective tissue disorder
Leafelets - bicuspid aortic valve, rheumatic heart disease, endocarditis, myxomatosis degradation (mitral valve prolapse)

Question 2

What are the symptoms of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 2

Aortic regurgitation doesn’t show symptoms until there is left ventricular failure;

• dyspnoea
• angina
• pounding of the heart
• arrhythmias

Question 3

What are the clinical presentations of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 3

Widened pulse
Pulse has large volumes and collapsing
Hyper dynamic and displaced apex beat

Question 4

Describe the pathophysiology of aortic regurgitation?

Answer 4

Left ventricle has to control not only the SV but also the regurgitating volume
This increases left end diastolic volume and left systole pressure
This causes concentric hypertrophy and left ventricular mass
This causes an increase in mitral valve oxygen consumption
This leads to ischaemia and left ventricular failure

Question 5

What treatment may be used for acute aortic regurgitation and why?

Answer 5

Vasodilators because they delay the time for surgical intervention

Question 6

what is the pulse pressure like in someone with aortic regurgitation?

Answer 6

wide pulse pressure

Question 7

in patients with aortic regurgitation due to dilated aorta, what treatment would be given?

Answer 7

beta blockers

BB’s slow aortic dilatation

Question 8

What treatment is given to patients with left ventricular dysfunction?

Answer 8

ACE inhibitors