Aortic valve regurgitation is a condition that the aortic valve cannot close completely so that blood flows back from aorta to the left ventricle. Under normal circumstances, aortic valve regurgitation patients have no symptoms. Even if the aortic valve apparently regurgitates, patients can have no obvious symptoms for as long as 10 to 15 years. Once heart failure occurs, the condition worsens rapidly. Symptoms include palpitations, breathing difficulties, chest pain, syncope and other symptoms. In the late stage when the right heart fails, blood can be congested in liver, causing liver enlargement and tenderness, ankle edema, pleural effusion or ascites. Once aortic regurgitation becomes severe, patients should be treated immediately. Valve replacement surgery is a thorough treatment method.
How is Aortic valve regurgitation treated in practice?