Aortic Regugitation

General Principles

*AR may result from pathology of the aortic valve, the aortic root or both ; it is important that both the valve and the root are evaluated to determine the appropriate management and treatment
*AR usually develops insidiously with a long asymptomatic period; when it occurs acutely, it is often associated life-threatening and must be managed aggressively.

Etiology

* More common
      -Bicuspid aortic valve
      -Rheumatic disease
     - Calcific degenerative
     -Infective endocarditis
     -Idiopathic dilatation of the aorta
     -Myxomatous degenerative
     -Systemic hypertension
     -Dissection of the ascendig aorta
     -Marfan's syndrome

*Less common
     -Traumatic injury to the aortic valve
     -Collagen vascular diseases
     -Syphilitic aortitis
     -Discrete subaortic stenosis
     -VSD with prolapse of an aortic cusp

* Acute
    -Infective endocarditis
   -Dissection of the ascending aorta
   -Trauma