Is aortic insufficiency serious?

Complications. The most serious potential complication from aortic valve regurgitation is heart failure, which is when your heart muscle weakens and can’t pump blood properly to your body. Heart failure can then lead to complications with your other organs.

What is the most common cause of aortic insufficiency?

The most common cause of chronic aortic regurgitation used to be rheumatic heart disease, but presently it is most commonly caused by bacterial endocarditis. In developed countries, it is caused by dilation of the ascending aorta (eg, aortic root disease, aortoannular ectasia).

How can I improve my aortic insufficiency?

Treating Aortic Insufficiency In some cases, your doctor may simply recommend lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy and medications, as an additional supplement, to prevent complications. If your condition is severe or your symptoms are worsening, you may need heart surgery to repair or replace the valve.

Does aortic insufficiency always worsen?

It becomes leaky allowing some blood flow back into the left ventricle instead of forward into the body. You may not have symptoms for many years. Chronic aortic valve regurgitation may get worse. It may require surgery.

What is the difference between aortic insufficiency and aortic regurgitation?

A normal aortic valve is comprised of three semilunar cusps that attach to the aortic wall. Aortic regurgitation (AR), also known as aortic insufficiency, is a form of valvular heart disease that allows for the retrograde flow of blood back into the left ventricle.

What do you need to know about aortic insufficiency?

Aortic insufficiency is a heart valve disease where the aortic valve no longer functions adequately to control the flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta. Commonly, aortic insufficiency shows no symptoms for many years. Symptoms may then occur gradually or suddenly.

What are the complications of aortic insufficiency at Mount Sinai?

Complications may include: 1 Abnormal heart rhythms 2 Heart failure 3 Infection in the heart

What are the causes of acute aortic dissection ( AR )?

Infective endocarditis involving the aortic valve, trauma to the aortic valve and acute aortic dissection are well-described causes of acute AR. The etiologies of chronic AR include connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, and other inflammatory diseases of the aorta.

What causes narrowing of the aortic valve opening?

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening. Aortic stenosis restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta and may also affect the pressure in the left atrium. Watch an animation of aortic valve stenosis.