(^62) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
Aortic Insufficiency (AI)
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Leakage of the aortic valve causes blood to flow back into the left ventricle. This
results in increased blood volume in the left ventricle, causing it to dilate and be-
come hypertrophic, thus reducing blood flow from the heart. The usual cause is
incompetent cusps or leaflets of the valve, from endocarditis, valve structural
problems, connective tissue disorders, rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, arterio-
sclerosis,and other conditions.PROGNOSIS
Prognosis depends on the severity of the valve damage and the acuteness of the
symptoms in the patient.HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) because of ineffective pumping
- Fatigue
- Orthopnea
- Palpations because the heart is irritable due to improper blood flow
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- X-ray shows an enlarged left ventricle.
- Echocardiogram confirms the left ventricle is enlarged and the valve is work-
ing inefficiently.
TREATMENT
Treatment is based on the gravity of the symptoms of the patient.- Aortic valve replacement or repair.
- Administer anticoagulant medication following surgery to prevent thrombus
around the aortic valve:
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