heart and blood vessel disorders
Aortic Regurgitation
Diagnosis of Aortic Regurgitation
Physical examination Echocardiography The diagnosis is based on the results of a physical examination (such as the collapsing pulse and characteristic heart murmur) and confirmed by Echocardiography and Other Ultrasound Procedures . Echocardiography also shows the severity of the regurgitation and whether the heart muscle has been affected. If echocardiography results suggest the aorta is widened, doctors often do Computed Tomography (CT) of the Heart (CT) or Chest x-ray and Electrocardiography (ECG) usually show signs of an enlarged heart. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Heart is done before surgery because about 20% of people with severe aortic regurgitation also have First-degree relatives (that is, parents, siblings, or children) of people with a bicuspid valve should also be tested because 20 to 30% will also have a bicuspid valve, which increases their risk of developing aortic regurgitation as they get older . 