When the aortic valve does not properly perform its function of pumping blood into the heart, an aortic disease condition occurs that also involves the left ventricle.
Aortic valve disease may be due to congenital heart disease, when the abnormality has been present since birth, or it may be attributable to other causes.
Diseases of the aortic valve include:
- Aortic valve stenosis, when the valve leaflets may harden and increase in thickness, such that they may even stick together to the point of creating a narrowing or occlusion of the valve, which will restrict blood flow from the heart to the aorta.
- Aortic valve regurgitation, which consists of reflux of blood, that is, return of blood that fails to flow after release from the left ventricle, a condition that can damage the heart circulation to the point of decompensation. In this condition, the aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the left ventricle.
There may be a need for surgery aimed at repairing, where possible, the damaged valve or replacing it.
