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Aortic Regurgitation

Also known as: Aortic valve regurgitation

What is ​Aortic Regurgitation?

The aortic valve separates the heart's left ventricle from the aorta, which takes blood to the rest of the body. When someone has aortic regurgitation, the aortic valve leaks and allows blood to flow back into the left ventricle, which can cause a number of problems.

What causes aortic regurgitation?

In some cases, aortic regurgitation occurs as the result of a birth defect. Other times, another disease, such as rheumatic fever or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause problems that eventually lead to aortic regurgitation.

What are the symptoms of aortic regurgitation?

Mild aortic regurgitation may have no symptoms. As it gets worse, the heart has to pump harder, which can lead to heart palpitations, chest pain and dizziness. Heart failure is possible in severe cases.

What are aortic regurgitation care options?

Mild cases are often treated with medications. More severe cases of aortic regurgitation may require surgical repair.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:10 PM

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Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic fever is a disease caused by the body's inflammatory response to a bacterial infection caused by a group A streptococcus bacterial infection of the throat.

Subaortic Membrane Resection

Subaortic membrane resection is a surgery that’s used to repair a medical condition known as subaortic stenosis. With subaortic stenosis, the area just below the aortic valve of the left ventricle is obstructed or narrowed often by excess tissue, which reduces the flow of blood to the body.

Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve replacement is a surgery to remove and replace the heart’s aortic valve. This may be needed if the valve leaks (aortic regurgitation) or has a narrow opening (aortic stenosis).

Ross-Konno Procedure

Ross-Konno procedure is a surgery to repair a damaged aortic valve. The aortic valve is responsible for pumping blood from the heart out to the body. The left ventricular outflow tract is also enlarged as part of the Ross-Konno procedure.