Aortic Regurgitation: Diagnosis and Evaluation

Purpose of reviewThis current review of aortic regurgitation (AR) focuses on the natural history, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing including the use of multimodality cardiovascular imaging, and timing of surgical intervention.Recent findingsWe review the current guideline recommendations but also explore novel parameters that show potential for use in the near future. We review the basis of current treatment recommendations as well as summarize recent and ongoing research in this field. We also review important differences between acute AR and chronic AR.SummaryAR still remains a challenging diagnosis, and echocardiography, cardiac computerized tomography (CT), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) all play an important role in confirming the severity of AR and the effect it has on LV size and function. The important takeaways and conclusions regarding assessment and management of AR are defined. Important understanding and treatment gaps do exist; however, the importance of answering the questions arising from these gaps is thoughtfully reviewed.