User:Mr. Ibrahem/Aortic insufficiency
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aortic insufficiency (AI), also known as aortic regurgitation (AR), is a type of valvular heart disease in which there is backward flow of blood from the aorta, through the aortic valve, into the left ventricle, when the heart relaxes.[1] When of sudden onset, symptoms may include a rapid heart rate, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.[1] Cases of gradual onset may have few symptoms, though may develop shortness of breath and tiredness.[2] Complications may include heart failure.[2]
Cases of sudden onset may occur due to infective endocarditis, rupture of the ascending aorta with aortic cusp prolapse, and complications of percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty or a prosthetic aortic valve.[1] Cases of gradual onset may occur due to rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, valve degeneration, congenital valve abnormalities such as a bicuspid aortic valve, age related valvular calcification, dilatation of the aorta, aortic dissection, aortitis due to syphilis or giant cell arteritis, hypertension, drug-induced valvulopathy, and osteogenesis imperfecta.[1] Diagnosis may be suspected based on a diastolic murmur and confirmed by echocardiography.[1]
Treatment of cases of sudden onset depends on the underlying cause; however, many cases require urgent surgery.[1] Treatment of cases of gradual onset may include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or beta blockers initially.[1] More severe cases may require aortic valve replacement or aortic valve repair.[1] Chronic disease is generally gradual in onset, with follow up recommended at intervals of 6 months to 5 years depending on the current severity.[2]
Aortic insufficiency is common.[2] In adults in the United States about 5% are affected to some degree and about 0.5% are severely affected.[1] It becomes more common with age.[1] It was first described in 1832 by Dominic Corrigan.[1][3]