Acute Aortic Regurgitation Etiology-History

In acute aortic regurgitation, the history may be quite different than when it presents in a chronic form. It may include trauma or acute infective endocarditis. The sudden onset of left ventricular failure is typical.

Bedside Findings

In acute aortic regurgitation, the bedside findings may be quite different from those seen in chronic aortic regurgitation.

When acute, there is less time for compensatory changes to occur, such as peripheral vasodilatation and left ventricular enlargement. The resulting bedside findings include a blood pressure that is variable, a carotid pulse that is single, a left ventricular impulse that is near normal and a diastolic murmur that is short.

Peripheral arterial pulse signs are absent.