What clinical issue can aortic regurgitation lead to if left untreated?

Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. This leads to a volume overload of the left ventricle over time because the heart has to manage not only the incoming blood from the lungs but also the regurgitant flow from the aorta. As the left ventricle becomes overloaded, it undergoes compensatory hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle) initially to handle the increased volume. However, if the condition persists without treatment, the compensatory mechanisms become inadequate, leading to left ventricular dilation and eventual heart failure.

Left heart failure can manifest with symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and pulmonary congestion. Managing the volume overload and preventing the progression to heart failure is crucial, making this the most significant clinical issue associated with untreated aortic regurgitation.