Aortic Insufficiency Treatment

Treatment options depend on the severity and natural history of the valve leakage and its effects on the heart's size and function. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

The immediate treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are. Surgery is needed in severe cases. In chronic and slowly progressive aortic insufficiency, treatment may involve taking medicine.

Medication

Medicines used to treat aortic insufficiency may include:

• Diuretics-to treat high blood pressure and rid the body of excess fluids
• Calcium channel blockers-to reduce leaking and, in some cases, delay the need for surgery
• Other medicines (eg, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACE inhibitors], angiotensin receptor blockers)
• Antibiotics used before dental and surgical procedures to prevent infection

Depending on your condition, your doctor may schedule routine physical exams and echocardiograms.

If the condition is rapidly declining, surgery is needed.

Surgery

There are several open heart surgeries that can fix leaking valves. The type chosen will depend on the nature of the valve and the expert recommendation of the surgeon. Generally, the valve will be repaired, rather than replaced with an artificial valve.