aortic insufficiency


insufficiency

 [in″sŭ-fish´en-se] inability to perform properly an allotted function; called also incompetence.adrenal insufficiency abnormally diminished activity of the adrenal gland; called also hypoadrenalism.adrenocortical insufficiency abnormally diminished secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex; see also addison's disease. Called also hypoadrenocorticism and hypocorticism.aortic insufficiency inadequate closure of the valve" >aortic valve, permitting regurgitation" >aortic regurgitation.coronary insufficiency decreased supply of blood to the myocardium resulting from constriction or obstruction of the coronary arteries, but not accompanied by necrosis of the myocardial cells. Called also myocardial ischemia.ileocecal insufficiency inability of the valve" >ileocecal valve to prevent backflow of contents from the cecum into the ileum.mitral insufficiency inadequate closure of the valve" >mitral valve, permitting regurgitation" >mitral regurgitation.placental insufficiency dysfunction of the placenta, with reduction in the area of exchange of nutrients; it often leads to fetal growth retardation.pulmonary insufficiency 1. pulmonary valve insufficiency.2. respiratory insufficiency.pulmonary valve insufficiency inadequate closure of the valve" >pulmonary valve, permitting regurgitation" >pulmonic regurgitation.respiratory insufficiency see respiratory insufficiency.thyroid insufficiency hypothyroidism.tricuspid insufficiency incomplete closure of the valve" >tricuspid valve, resulting in regurgitation" >tricuspid regurgitation.valvular insufficiency failure of a cardiac valve to close perfectly, causing regurgitation" >valvular regurgitation; see also aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid insufficiency.velopharyngeal insufficiency inadequate closure" >velopharyngeal closure, due to a condition such as cleft palate or muscular dysfunction, resulting in defective speech.venous insufficiency inadequacy of the venous valves and impairment of venous return from the lower limbs (stasis" >venous stasis), often with edema and sometimes with ulcers" >stasis ulcers at the ankle.

a·or·tic in·suf·fi·cien·cy

functional incompetence of the aortic valve, with resulting regurgitation of blood from the aorta during left ventricular diastole; may be congenital, inflammatory (for example, in rheumatic fever or SLE), or degenerative. See: aortic regurgitation.

aortic insufficiency

The reflow of blood back from the aorta into the left ventricle due to incompetency of the aortic valve.
 
Clinical findings
Dyspnoea on exertion, orthopnea, fatigue, ± angina, increased pulse pressure, systolic hypertension with increased afterload on left ventricle.
 
Aetiology
Congenital or acquired valve defect of either the aortic leaflets (infectious endocarditis, rheumatic fever) or the aortic root (annuloaortic ectasia, Marfan syndrome, aortic dissection, collagen vascular disease, syphilis).
 
Examination
Increased pulse pressure (Corrigan’s pulse, Hill sign, Musset sign, Quincke’s pulse), systolic murmur, diastolic rumble (Austin Flint murmur over cardiac apex).
 
Workup
Doppler echocardiography to estimate severity of AR, confirmed by aortography.
 
Management
Early valve replacement surgery, guided by the ‘55 rule’—i.e., performed when the ejection fraction is < 55% and/or the end-systolic dimension = 55 mm.

a·or·tic re·gur·gi·ta·tion

(ā-ōr'tik rē-gŭr'ji-tā'shŭn) Reflux of blood through an incompetent aortic valve into the left ventricle during ventricular diastole.
Synonym(s): aortic insufficiency, Corrigan disease.