Systolic aortic regurgitation: a hemodynamic challenge for the clinician

Aortic regurgitation is considered a diastolic phenomenon. We describe a case in which premature beats resulted in a left ventricular systolic pressure that was lower than the aortic pressure, and thus aortic regurgitation continued throughout the systole of the premature beat. This sequence of events was clearly demonstrated by Doppler echocardiography.