Aortic regurgitation (AR) is the third most frequently encountered valve lesion and may be caused by abnormalities of the valve cusps or the aorta. Echocardiography is instrumental in the assessment of AR as it enables the delineation of valvular morphology, the mechanism of the lesion and the grading of severity. Severe AR has a major impact on the myocardium and carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Established and novel echocardiographic methods, such as global longitudinal strain and three-dimensional echocardiography, allow an estimation of this risk and provide invaluable information for patient management and prognosis. This narrative review summarises the epidemiology of AR, reviews current practices and recommendations with regards to the echocardiographic assessment of AR and outlines novel echocardiographic tools that may prove beneficial in patient assessment and management.
Keyphrases
- aortic valve
- left ventricular
- mitral valve
- pulmonary hypertension
- aortic stenosis
- transcatheter aortic valve replacement
- left atrial
- pulmonary artery
- ejection fraction
- primary care
- healthcare
- case report
- computed tomography
- systematic review
- randomized controlled trial
- atrial fibrillation
- social media
- coronary artery disease
- aortic dissection