Aortic Valve Regurgitation:
This is a condition where your Aortic valve
doesn't close completely and some of the
blood that was pumped out of the heart
leaks back in. As a result, your heart has to
work harder because of the extra blood
coming back in. This may lead to symptoms
of
heart failure.
What caused it?
The most common causes of severe aortic regurgitation is the weakening of the valve tissue due
to aging, other causes are from high blood pressure, infection of the heart valve, congenital
bicuspid aortic valve or an ascending aortic aneurysm which stretched the vale.
The severity of aortic regurgitation can sometimes be reduced with medicat ions but surgical
repairs are required in severe cases.
Symptoms include
Irregular heart beat
Palpitations
Chest pain
Fainting
Shortness of breath
Surgical Options:
Repair vs. Replacement?
When it comes to the Aortic Valve it almost ALWAYS needs to be replaced.
There are two different types of valves used for replacement, Metal (mechanical) and tissue (bio
prosthetic). These two options are discussed further in Chapter 8.
Surgical approach:
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