CMR quantification of aortic regurgitation in asymptomatic patients with significant aortic regurgitation: prediction of clinical outcome

Introduction The timing of valve surgery in asymptomatic patients with significant aortic regurgitation can be challenging. Current indications focus on symptoms and left ventricular (LV) dilation/dysfunction, but prognosis is already reduced by this time. Quantification of the regurgitation has not previously been used to guide management, likely due to the difficulty of achieving this with echocardiography. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can accurately quantify aortic regurgitation and LV volumes, and we examined whether either could predict symptom development and the need for aortic valve surgery.