Aortic Valve Regurgitation and Stenosis

Aortic valve regurgitation is when the aortic valve doesn’t close properly after each heartbeat, allowing blood to leak backward. Aortic valve stenosis is when the aortic valve narrows, preventing blood from flowing properly into the aorta and the rest of the body. This condition also is called aortic insufficiency. Heart valves can have both conditions (aortic valve regurgitation and stenosis) at the same time.

Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Fainting with exertion
• Difficulty catching your breath
• Abnormal heartbeats
• Chest pain

If you have these conditions, surgical therapy is the best option; they’re not curable with medical therapy alone, and symptoms typically worsen over time. Most patients recover well after surgery.

What Is Aortic Valve Regurgitation and Stenosis?

The aortic valve is the final “door” blood goes through as it leaves the heart’s left ventricle (main pump) en route to the aorta (main artery bringing blood throughout the body). When aortic valve regurgitation or stenosis is present, the left ventricle must work harder than normal to pump blood, causing fatigue and other symptoms. Problems with valves can be a cause of heart failure.

What Causes Aortic Valve Regurgitation and Stenosis?

Aortic valve regurgitation and stenosis can be caused by congenital heart defects, including deformities such as bicuspid aortic valve. In this condition, the valve has two flaps rather than the normal three.

Aortic valve regurgitation and stenosis also can be caused by infections in the heart such as rheumatic fever and endocarditis; as well as by some diseases and changes due to aging.

Cardiologists

• Alex Auseon, DO 
• Vincent Brinkman, MD
• Michael Davis, MD 
• Theodore Fraker Jr., MD
• William Houser, MD
• Albert Kolibash Jr., MD
• John Larry, MD
• Scott Maffett, MD
• U. Krishnan Marar, MBBS
• Laxmi Mehta, MD
• Stephany Moore, MD
• David Orsinelli, MD
• Sharon Roble, MD
• James M. Ryan, MD
• Thomas Ryan, MD
• Gbemiga Sofowora, MBChB
• Talal Attar, MD
• Cindy Baker, MD
• Mary Breckenridge, MD
• Debbra Debaets, MD
• Barry George, MD
• Arsad Karcic, MD
• Lawrence Murcko, MD
• Timothy Obarski, DO

Cardiothoracic Surgeons

• Juan Crestanello, MD
• Michael Firstenberg, MD
• Robert Higgins, MD
• C.B. Sai-Sudhakar, MBBS
• John Sirak, MD