Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Diagnosis of Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Diagnosis of aortic valve regurgitation begins with a physical exam and a review of your symptoms and health history, including family history. A healthcare professional may listen to the heart with a stethoscope to detect a heart murmur and check blood pressure. Referral to a cardiologist is often needed for further evaluation.

Common diagnostic tests include:

• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess blood flow through the aortic valve and aorta. A transesophageal echocardiogram provides more detailed internal images.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Measures electrical activity of the heart to check heart rate and rhythm.

• Chest X-ray: Detects enlargement of the heart or aorta and evaluates lung condition.

• Cardiac CT scan: Detailed imaging of the heart and aorta, useful to detect tears.

• Exercise or stress tests: Assess heart response to physical activity and reveal exercise-related valve symptoms.

• Cardiac MRI: Detailed images of the heart and aortic valve structure.

• Cardiac catheterization: Evaluates severity and may be used before valve surgery; involves threading a catheter to the heart and using dye for imaging.

Heart valve disease stages:

• Stage A: At risk, risk factors present.

• Stage B: Mild/moderate valve disease, no symptoms.

• Stage C: Severe valve disease without symptoms.

• Stage D: Severe valve disease with symptoms.

Treatment of Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Treatment depends on severity, symptoms, and disease progression. Goals are to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Monitoring and Lifestyle:

• Regular checkups and echocardiograms.

• Heart-healthy lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and blood pressure control.

Medications:

• Manage symptoms.

• Reduce risk of complications.

• Lower blood pressure.

Surgical and Procedural Options:

• Aortic valve repair: Surgeons may separate fused valve flaps, reshape or remove tissue, or patch holes. Catheter-based procedures may be used in certain cases.

• Aortic valve replacement: Damaged valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological tissue valve.

• Minimally invasive surgery / TAVR: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement uses smaller incisions than open-heart surgery.

• Ross procedure: Pulmonary valve is used to replace the aortic valve, with a donor valve replacing the pulmonary valve.

Notes:

• Biological tissue valves may deteriorate over time and require replacement.

• Mechanical valves require lifelong blood-thinning medications to prevent clots.

• The choice of procedure depends on age, symptoms, overall health, and whether other heart surgeries are needed.