Question:

I have a leaking aortic valve with palpations only. When should I have surgery?

Submitted by Terry from Arkansas on 03/22/2015

Answer:
by Patrick J. Cook, MD

“Because of their excellent prognosis in the short and intermediate term, operative correction should be deferred in patients with chronic, severe AR who are asymptomatic, have good exercise tolerance, AND have an ejection fraction greater than 50% WITHOUT severe left ventricular dilatation (i.e., an end diastolic diameter <70 mm and an end systolic diameter <50 mm).” Heart Disease, Braunwald, 6th edition.

Absent any of the above, observation of clinical status and periodic echocardiograms are what is needed.