Aortic regurgitation

Question 1

Define Aortic Regurgitation

Answer 1

Backflow via the aortic valve back into the left ventricle–diastolic leakage

either intrinsic valve issues or aortic root dilation

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors aortic regurg

Answer 2

Risk factors-commonest causes: Chronic Is more common
Rheumathic fever in developing countries
congenital bicuspid or aortic root dilation most common in developed
can also be soft tissue issues, SLE, RA, HTN

can be acute or chronic

acute causes: Aortic dissection, Infective endocarditis, trauma

risk factors-bicuspid valve, Rheum Fever, Endocarditis, Connective tissue, Aortitis, age, HTN
being a man

Question 3

Epidemology of aortic regurg

Answer 3

Not as common as Aortic stenosis or Mitrial regurg

13% of men and 8% of women-mostly asymptomatic

Question 4

Symptoms of Aortic Regurg

Answer 4

Fatigue, dyspnea, weakness
Orthopneo
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (waking up SOB)
Pallor
Chest pain
palpitation, syncope

and then other signs of CCF (usually LVF (pink froth) (or any acute cause)

Question 5

Signs of Aortic regurg

Answer 5

MAIN ONE-diastolic murmur-
with possible soft S1
high pitch early diastolic murmur, radiate to femoral, better heart at inspiration

cyanosis, JVP,

Quickes sign–pulsatile nail bed refill
Collapsing pulse
Displaced hyperdynamc apex

Question 6

Investigation of Aortic Regurg

Answer 6

ECG-can see signs of LVH and left axis deviation
(or signs of endocarditis)

CXR-cardiomegaly
Echocardiogram-visualise-diagnostic