Mastering Aortic Regurgitation: A Practical Echo Guide

Aortic regurgitation (AR)—also known as aortic insufficiency—is a form of valvular heart disease in which blood flows retrograde from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Over time, this chronic volume overload can lead to left ventricular dilation, increased wall stress, and eventual systolic dysfunction. Clinical management depends on both the severity and acuity of regurgitation.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is essential for diagnosing and grading aortic regurgitation using an integrated approach with 2D imaging, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler. This lesson walks through how to systematically assess AR, moving beyond jet appearance to the measurements that truly guide decision-making.

You’ll learn how to:

• Differentiate acute vs chronic aortic regurgitation

• Apply the ASE classification of aortic insufficiency

• Assess left ventricular dimensions and volumes

• Interpret pressure half-time

• Use color Doppler jet ratios

• Identify diastolic flow reversal with spectral Doppler

Mastering these parameters improves diagnostic confidence and ensures accurate grading of aortic regurgitation in real-world clinical practice.