AORT Valve Insufficiency: Symptoms, Grades and Treatment

The aorta is one of the important arteries (arteries) in the human body, and it provides the transmission of blood from the lower left chamber of the heart to the whole body. The part where the vessel exits the heart has a valve and it is called the aortic valve. A disease called aortic valve insufficiency or aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backwards. The blood, which is not pumped to the body in sufficient quantity due to leakage, may show symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations over time. In the long run, this disease may become even more severe and, as a result, surgery may be required to repair the valve. You can read the rest of the article for more detailed information about the disease, such as aortic insufficiency findings and aortic regurgitation degrees.

What is Aortic Valve Insufficiency?

There are 4 heart valves to control blood flow in the heart. These valves prevent the back flow of blood leaving and entering the heart and ensures that the blood flows in the right direction. The aortic valve is one of these 4 valves that control blood flow. It is located between the left lower chamber of the heart (left ventricle) and the main artery, the aorta. As a result of damage to the aortic valve, a disease called aortic valve insufficiency or aortic regurgitation is seen. If this valve is not completely closed, some of the blood sent to the body will leak backwards. The section with increased blood load begins to expand over time. The heart muscle, which pumps the blood in this region, starts to work more because of this enlargement. All this extra work and excess blood load starts to tire the heart and therefore the body after a while. This situation results in the inability to pump enough blood to the body in the future. This problem begins to manifest itself with various symptoms both in your heart and in your body over time.

Symptoms of Aortic Insufficiency

Symptoms of aortic insufficiency develop slowly over time, usually insidiously. You may have no signs or symptoms at first when damage to the valve occurs. This makes it difficult to detect the condition in the early term. Symptoms of acute aortic valve insufficiency develop suddenly as a result of an infection in the valve. General signs of aortic regurgitation include: may include:

• Difficulty breathing in the presence of exercise or at normal time
• Fatigue and weakness, especially when you increase your activity level
• Murmur of aortic regurgitation (An additional sound that is not normally present in the heart
• Arrhythmia (Irregular heart rate)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chest pain (angina), discomfort or tightness, often increasing during exercise
• Feeling of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)
• Edema in feet, legs, or abdomen
• Waking up short of breath after falling asleep
• Involuntary weight loss
• Cough

Risk Factors for Aortic Insufficiency

Any condition affecting the aortic valve of the heart can be considered a risk factor for aortic regurgitation . In the past, rheumatic fever was considered the main cause of aortic valve insufficiency. Today, however, rheumatic fever can be treated with antibiotics. Risk factors for aortic insufficiency other than rheumatic fever may be:

• Aortic involvement of ankylosing spondylitis
• Congenital (present at birth) valve problems such as bicuspid aortic valve
• Endocarditis (Inner surface of the heart) or infection in the valves)
• High blood pressure
• Marfan syndrome
• Reiter's syndrome (also known as Reactive arthritis)
• Syphilis (Syphilis)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Aortic insufficiency is more common in men than women. It is most common in men between the ages of 30 and 60.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Insufficiency

Treatment of aortic insufficiency may vary depending on the condition and severity of your symptoms. Aortic regurgitation is an irreversible disease and therefore it is not possible to talk about a drug that completely cures the ailment. Instead, treatments often focus on managing symptoms. Treatment of aortic regurgitation:

• Medicine therapy
• Surgical procedure
• Lifestyle modification
• May include treatment options such as regular control.

The diagnosis of aortic insufficiency is made by ultrasound evaluation of the heart (echocardiography). From mild aortic regurgitation to advanced aortic regurgitation with echocardiography rated in up to four steps. In the diagnosis of advanced aortic regurgitation, cardiac MRI may be required, sometimes in between with echocardiography. Only follow-up is required when the diagnosis of mild aortic regurgitation is made. However, regular echocardiography (ECHO) is required to monitor the progression of the disease. High blood pressure can trigger worsening of aortic valve regurgitation, that is, the development or emergence of disease symptoms. For this reason, drug therapy can be applied to patients with blood pressure to slow the progression of aortic regurgitation or to improve its symptoms. Symptoms seen as a result of advanced aortic insufficiency are related to heart failure. For the treatment of heart failure, diuretic drugs can be prescribed by the doctor to reduce the complaints. In addition, it is necessary to avoid activities such as heavy exercise that will tire or force the heart, which is overloaded as a result of damage to the aorta.

Surgical replacement of the aortic valve is the most effective method currently used in advanced aortic regurgitation. When evaluating surgical treatment, your age, health status, symptoms you have, and the function and condition of your heart will be taken into account.
There is an increasing interest in the method of aortic valve placement (TAVI) by catheter in individuals with very high surgical risk. Today, aortic valve placement via catheter is performed in the case of advanced aortic insufficiency in the previously replaced bioprosthetic aortic valve. In case of deterioration of the patient's own aortic valve and advanced aortic regurgitation, new methods for replacing the valve with the TAVI method are under development. ,

Avoid smoking and alcohol,

Healthy diet,

Focusing on a healthy lifestyle with adequate exercise can also be seen as lifestyle changes where you can see improvements in symptoms.

Aortic valve insufficiency is not a disease that is easy to recognize because it can progress for a long time without symptoms. It can be noticed more easily when it occurs suddenly as a result of an infection. lyre As soon as the diagnosis of the disease is made, the treatment process should be started. The treatment of each disease is planned specifically for the person and their conditions. For this reason, your doctor will give you the most accurate and appropriate information about the treatment. If you have any doubts about aortic valve insufficiency, you can apply to the nearest hospital and have your controls done.

_{Read: 29}