Observations on the timing of operative intervention for aortic regurgitation

We examined the application and timing of valve replacement in 105 cases of aortic regurgitation, from the aspect of etiology, clinical findings and prognosis. The mortality for patients after aortic valve replacement was 12.9%. This was lower than that for the patients not operated up on, which was 35.0%. The mortality after valve replacement for patients having acute aortic regurgitation due to active endocarditis was as high as 80%, which showed the limitations of medical and surgical therapy. In cases of chronic aortic regurgitation, if valve replacement is performed within 3 years of the appearance of heart failure symptoms, the mortality is 0. Even after three years, valve replacement is applicable if there are no ventricular premature contractions. CTR 65%, %FS 21%, R/Th 2.9 and EF 38% were considered to be the critical factors for postoperative prognosis.