Aortic Regurgitation Flashcards
The aortic valve consists of 3 leaflets which are
The left, the right and the posterior
Explain what is aortic regurgitation
When the aortic valve doesn’t close all the way during diastole which causes blood to leak back into left ventricle
Aortic regurgitation aka aortic insufficiency
50% of cases of aortic regurgitation are due to?
Aortic root dilation - aortic root dilates which pulls the leaflets apart - so they don’t close fully
Aortic root dilation can be caused by aortic dissection, aneurysms, syphilis
Aortic regurgitation may be caused by something other than aortic root dilation. What is this other cause?
Valvular damage - fibrosis of the valves means they don’t form a proper seal
caused by infective endocarditis, chronic rheumatic fever
Bicuspid aortic valve (abnormal) may also cause aortic regurg
What kind of murmur do patients with aortic regurgitation have?
Early decrescendo diastolic murmur (caused by blood flowing back through aortic valve)
What are the consequences of aortic regurgitation?
As blood flow back into LV, stroke volume increases = increased systolic BP
BUT, diastolic BP decreases as less blood in aorta
Therefore, increased pulse pressure as high systolic BP and lower diastolic BP
In aortic regurgitation, where there is a raised pulse pressure, what can this cause?
Hyperdynamic circulation - causing a bounding pulse.
May also cause head bobbing and Quincke’s sign (capillary beds in fingernails pulsating)
What type of left ventricular hypertrophy can aortic regurgitation cause?
Eccentric LV hypertrophy - sarcomeres added in series
What is treatment for aortic regurgitation?
Replacement of the valves after symptoms develop
Describe the epidemiology of aortic regurgitation
Often begins in late 50s, common in late 80s
How might someone with chronic AR present
Wb acute AR?
Initially asymptomatic then symptoms of HF - exertion dyspnoea, orthopnoea ,fatigue
Acute AR: sudden cardiovascular collapse
