OverviewAortic insufficiency is a heart valve disease where the aortic valve no longer functions adequately to control the flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta. Commonly, aortic insufficiency shows no symptoms for many years. Symptoms may then occur gradually or suddenly. Surgical repair or replacement of the aortic valve corrects aortic insufficiency.
Review Date 2/22/2018
Updated by: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.