Noninvasive Imaging for Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Abstract

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) volume and pressure overload, resulting in eccentric LV remodeling and enlargement. This condition may be well tolerated for years before the onset of myocardial dysfunction and symptoms. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of AR, assessing its mechanism and severity, and detecting LV remodeling. The assessment of AR severity is challenging and frequently requires the integration of information from multiple different measurements to assess the severity. Recent data suggest that echocardiographically derived LV volumes (end-systolic volume index > 45 mL/m²), an ejection fraction threshold of <60%, and abnormal global longitudinal strain may help identify early dysfunction and may be used to improve clinical outcomes. Consequently, these parameters can identify candidates for surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is emerging as a valuable tool for assessing severity when it remains unclear after an echocardiographic evaluation. This review emphasizes the importance of imaging, particularly echocardiography, in the evaluation of AR. It focuses on various echocardiographic parameters, including technical details, and how to integrate them for assessing the mechanism and severity of AR as well as LV remodeling.

Keywords: Aortic regurgitation; Left ventricular remodeling; Mechanism; Multimodality imaging; Severity.