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Aortic Insufficiency

Authors:
  • Krisha McCoy, MS
Publication Type:

Condition

Aortic Insufficiency

(Aortic Regurgitation; Aortic Incompetence)

Definition

The aorta is the main artery carrying blood with oxygen in it from the heart to the body. After each heartbeat, the valve closes tightly to stop blood from flowing backwards into the heart. Aortic insufficiency happens when the aortic valve does not close tightly enough.

There are 2 types of aortic insufficiency:

  • Acute—symptoms appear very fast and surgery may be needed right away
  • Chronic—symptoms appear over many months or years
Aortic Valve Insufficiency.

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Causes

Aortic insufficiency can be caused by:

Sometimes the cause of aortic insufficiency is unknown.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of aortic insufficiency include:

  • Family history of it
  • High blood pressure
  • Using drugs to reduce feelings of hunger and to lose weight

Symptoms

A person with aortic insufficiency may have:

  • Shortness of breath with activity
  • Trouble working out
  • Light-headedness
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat—arrhythmia
  • Fainting
  • Problems breathing when lying flat

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Images may be taken of the heart. This can be done with:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to stop the leaking. How this is done depends on:
  • How bad the leakage is
  • How long it has been going on for
  • How large the heart is
  • How well the heart is working

In chronic aortic insufficiency that is slowly getting worse, medicine may be advised. Surgery may be needed if the leak is very bad or the heart is not working well.

The doctor may schedule routine physical exams and echocardiograms.

Prevention

Aortic insufficiency cannot always be prevented. People who have a family history of it should talk to the doctor about having screening tests done.

Medication

Medicines cannot fix the valve, but they can treat aortic insufficiency. The doctor may advise:

  • Diuretics—to treat high blood pressure and rid the body of excess fluids
  • Calcium channel blockers—to reduce leaking and, in some cases, delay the need for surgery
  • High blood pressure medicine
  • Antibiotics to take before dental and surgical procedures to prevent infection

If a person is getting worse quickly, surgery is needed.

Medication

Medicines cannot fix the valve, but they can treat aortic insufficiency. The doctor may advise:

  • Diuretics—to treat high blood pressure and rid the body of excess fluids
  • Calcium channel blockers—to reduce leaking and, in some cases, delay the need for surgery
  • High blood pressure medicine
  • Antibiotics to take before dental and surgical procedures to prevent infection

If a person is getting worse quickly, surgery is needed.

Surgery

There are several open heart surgeries that can fix leaking valves. The type chosen will depend on the valve and the doctor doing the surgery.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Aortic regurgitation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/aortic-regurgitation.
  • Coarctation of aorta. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/coarctation-of-aorta.
  • Congenital heart defects. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/if-heart-defect.html.
  • What are congenital heart defects? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/congenital-heart-defects.
  • Problem: Aortic valve regurgitation. American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/heart-valve-problems-and-causes/problem-aortic-valve-regurgitation.

Contributors

  • Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.