aortic regurgitation
Backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle due to incomplete closure of the aortic valve.
Full Definition
Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a valvular heart disease characterized by the retrograde flow of blood from the aorta back into the left ventricle during diastole due to inadequate aortic valve closure. The condition can be acute, often due to aortic dissection or endocarditis, or chronic, commonly resulting from rheumatic heart disease, bicuspid aortic valve, or aortic root dilatation. Chronic AR leads to volume overload of the left ventricle, eventually causing ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. Symptoms include dyspnea, fatigue, and chest pain, while physical examination may reveal a diastolic murmur and widened pulse pressure. Severity is graded from mild to severe based on echocardiographic parameters.
Usage
Usage note: May be abbreviated as AR; distinguish from aortic stenosis which is obstruction to outflow.
In Context
- "Severe aortic regurgitation was evident on echocardiography with a regurgitant fraction of 65%." — Diagnostic report
- "The patient's AR has progressed from mild to moderate over the past two years of follow-up." — Cardiology consultation