User:Mr. Ibrahem/Aortic insufficiency

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. When of sudden onset, symptoms may include a rapid heart rate, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Cases of gradual onset may have few symptoms, though may develop shortness of breath and tiredness. Complications may include heart failure.

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. 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. Diagnosis may be suspected based on a diastolic murmur and confirmed by echocardiography.

Treatment of cases of sudden onset depends on the underlying cause; however, many cases require urgent surgery. Treatment of cases of gradual onset may include ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or beta blockers initially. More severe cases may require aortic valve replacement or aortic valve repair. Chronic disease is generally gradual in onset, with follow up recommended at intervals of 6 months to 5 years depending on the current severity.

Aortic insufficiency is common. In adults in the United States about 5% are affected to some degree and about 0.5% are severely affected. It becomes more common with age. It was first described in 1832 by Dominic Corrigan.