Aortic valve regurgitation

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Aortic valve regurgitation, also known as aortic insufficiency or aortic incompetence, is a condition that occurs when your heart's aortic valve doesn't close tightly. In this condition, some of the blood that was just pumped out of your heart leaks back into it.

The leakage of blood may prevent your heart from efficiently pumping blood out to the rest of your body. If your heart isn't working efficiently, you may feel fatigued and short of breath.

Aortic valve regurgitation, which has several causes, can develop suddenly or over decades. Once the condition becomes severe, surgery is usually required to repair or replace the aortic valve.

Symptoms

DS00419

Sept. 24, 2007

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