In evaluating aortic regurgitation, which finding in the descending aorta supports significant regurgitation?

In evaluating aortic regurgitation, which finding in the descending aorta supports significant regurgitation?

• A. Systolic dominant flow only
• B. Increased diastolic forward flow in aorta
• C. Diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta
• D. No change in flow pattern

Answer: (C)

In aortic regurgitation, blood that was ejected into the aorta during systole leaks back into the left ventricle during diastole. This diastolic backward flow can propagate downstream and produce retrograde, or reversed, flow in the descending aorta. Seeing diastolic flow reversal on Doppler in the descending aorta is a hallmark of significant AR because it directly reflects substantial diastolic runoff from the aorta into the LV. Systolic-dominant flow would suggest little to no regurgitation, diastolic forward flow would imply continued forward flow during diastole (not backwards), and no change in flow would not indicate AR. Therefore, diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta best supports significant regurgitation.

In aortic regurgitation, blood that was ejected into the aorta during systole leaks back into the left ventricle during diastole. This diastolic backward flow can propagate downstream and produce retrograde, or reversed, flow in the descending aorta. Seeing diastolic flow reversal on Doppler in the descending aorta is a hallmark of significant AR because it directly reflects substantial diastolic runoff from the aorta into the LV.

Systolic-dominant flow would suggest little to no regurgitation, diastolic forward flow would imply continued forward flow during diastole (not backwards), and no change in flow would not indicate AR. Therefore, diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta best supports significant regurgitation.