Aortic regurgitation (leaking heart valve)

Description

Aortic valve is not being closed normally causing the blood, which has been pumped out of the heart, to come back to the heart. Aortic valve separates left heart chamber and aorta. Valve is opening to provide blood flow from the left chamber to the aorta, being closed then to prevent blood coming back. In aortic regurgitation, the blood is being back from the aorta to left chamber. Backflow causes heart enlargement (cardiomyopathy) and cardiac insufficiency. Most common causes of aortic regurgitation include infection of the valve (endocarditis), rheumatic fever, valve deterioration and congenital heart disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms may develop gradually and they include: chest pain, fatigue, weakness, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, increased pulse, shortness of breath during physical activity, shortness of breath in lying position (orthopnea).

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. A doctor may hear abnormal heartbeat called heart murmur. Other examinations may be done for detection of damages on the heart and lungs. Tests that can help in making the diagnosis of blood backflow and abnormal aortic valve include echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, and cardiac catheterization.

Tests

Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), cardiac catheterization.

Specialists

Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery

Therapy

Therapy depends on the manifested symptoms and damage made to the heart and lungs. Treatment includes medicines for improvement of cardiac function, surgical treatment of valve and surgical replacement of the valve. Artificial cardiac valve is made of textile or metal. Metal valves last longer, but they require taking of anticoagulants whole life, such as warfarin. Textile valves are made from the cadaveric tissue of pig, cattle or humans and they do not require the use of anticoagulants, but they do not last long and should be replaced several times. Drugs that can be used include diuretics, vasodilators and antiarrhythmic drugs if there is abnormal heart rhythm as atrial fibrillation. Antibiotics can be prescribed to prevent infection before going to dentist, gastrointestinal interventions and interventions on urinary tract.