In aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve does not close
completely. The valve lets blood leak back (regurgitate) into the heart.
In a normal heart, the aortic valve opens to let oxygen-rich blood
flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. The aortic valve closes
completely when the heart rests between beats. The closed valve stops blood from flowing
backward into the heart. But in aortic valve regurgitation, the aortic valve
does not close completely. So with each heartbeat some of the blood pumped
into the aorta leaks back into the left ventricle.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerMichael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine
Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine
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