Aortic Regurgitation

What is Aortic Regurgitation?
Aortic Regurgitation, also referred to as a leaky aortic valve, is a condition that develops when the aortic valve of your heart doesn’t close completely. Thus, part of the blood that is pushed out of the left ventricle, your heart’s primary pumping chamber, seeps backwards. Your heart may struggle to pump blood effectively to the rest of your body as a result of this leak or abnormal motion. In turn, you can have exhaustion and breathing difficulties.

Aortic Regurgitation is a type of heart valve disease that can be minor to severe, and it might develop suddenly or over the years. Surgery is frequently needed to replace or repair the aortic valve after aortic valve regurgitation has reached a serious stage.

Symptoms of Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic valve regurgitation typically takes time to develop. It’s possible that you have been clueless about your condition for years. Aortic valve regurgitation can, however, occasionally happen abruptly, generally as a result of a valve infection. The following are signs of acute aortic regurgitation:

• Breathing difficulty when lying down or exercising
• Angina (chest pain), discomfort, or tightness, which frequently gets worse when exercising.
• Weakness and exhaustion, especially when you raise your level of activity.
• Heart murmur
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Heartbeat sensations that are quick and fluttery (palpitations)
• Irregular pulse (arrhythmia)

What causes Aortic regurgitation?

Aortic valve regurgitation typically develops gradually, but when brought on by a valve infection, it can happen abruptly. Regurgitation can result from any disorder that harms the aortic valve. Aortic regurgitation has several causes, including:

• Age-related valve degradation
• Aortic dissection
• A rheumatic heart condition
• A traumatic chest injury or aortic tear
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• The lining of the heart’s chambers and valves becomes inflamed
• High blood pressure
• Congenital heart valve disease

What are the risk factors?
You are more prone to have a leaky aortic valve if the architecture of the aortic valve changes, along with other illnesses. The chance of having aortic valve regurgitation is increased by the following circumstances:

• Older age
• Bicuspid aortic valve or similar congenital valve disorder
• Past infections may have harmed the heart.
• Several disorders, including Marfan syndrome, can have an impact on the heart.
• Aortic valve stenosis
• High blood pressure
• Rheumatic heart disease has been diagnosed, or there is a history of rheumatic fever.

Diagnosis of Aortic regurgitation
Through physical examination and testing, the expert doctors at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, can identify aortic regurgitation. They will perform the following during a physical exam:

• Inquires about your medical history
• Your vital indicators, such as your blood pressure, should be checked. Your healthcare professional can figure out your pulse pressure by taking your blood pressure.
• Auscultation is the process of listening to your heart using a stethoscope for hearing whether there are any unusual noises, such as murmur. This sound is brought on by the fast, backward flow of blood into your left ventricle.

The doctor will prescribe some tests to diagnose your condition. The most accurate way to diagnose aortic regurgitation is through echocardiography. Ultrasound is a test that takes photos of your heart using high-frequency sound waves. The doctor can examine the functionality of your valves using a variety of methods, such as Doppler ultrasound. You may also require the following tests to determine the cause of aortic regurgitation or to make treatment decisions:

• Chest X-ray
• Heart MRI
• Coronary angiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

Treatment for Aortic Regurgitation
There may be no need for therapy for mild regurgitation. It could be sufficient to merely keep an eye on it through routine checks. If you have high blood pressure, you may need to take medicine and improve your lifestyle habits to get it under control.

You could require surgery to replace or repair your aortic valve, depending on the severity of your condition. Our doctors at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, will assess your condition and determine whether or not you qualify for surgery based on your needs. The concerned heart doctors will discuss your risks with you and determine if it is safe to proceed with the procedure. To treat heart failure and enhance your quality of life, if you are not a candidate for valve surgery, the doctor may recommend medications.

In the event of surgery, this can be accomplished either by traditional, open surgery or through a relatively recent process known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). With TAVR, your chest is not cut open. Instead, your doctor inserts a catheter into an artery and then guides it to the aortic valve. A new valve is inserted by your doctor where your old one was damaged. Your doctor removes the catheter once the new valve has been installed, and your heart resumes its previous function.

How to take care of yourself after the procedure?
Follow the advice of your healthcare practitioner for self-care, including prescription drugs and dietary adjustments. Your doctor could also suggest the following modifications to your way of life:

• Exercising at the recommended intensity, as advised by your doctor.
• Eat a healthy diet. A nice option is the Mediterranean-style eating regimen.
• Avoiding using tobacco.
• Taking your prescription medications, such as those for high blood pressure.
• If you are ill or have an infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.
• Avoiding recreational drug use, especially IV drugs, which increases the risk of endocarditis
• Taking excellent care of your teeth and gums can help avoid endocarditis.

Aortic Regurgitation at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka
The multidisciplinary team at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, which consists of the best cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and other support personnel, has years of experience in successfully conducting this complex surgical procedure. Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, has made investments in cutting-edge imaging technologies and modern equipment in order to obtain the desired outcomes for the patients. We also provide a wide variety of advanced heart care procedures. A thorough Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is also offered as part of our comprehensive heart care services.