Severity of aortic regurgitation can
be assessed with the following.
1. Murmur
duration. Duration of murmur is directly proportional to the severity of AR
(>2/3 diastole). In moderate to severe AR mumur is holodiastolic.
2. Hill
Sign
Mild : < 40 mmHg
Moderate : 40 – 60 mmHg
Severe : > 60 mmHg
Hills sign is the
difference in blood pressure between the upper limb and lower limb.
3. Austin
flint murmur is heard in severe MR.
4. Down
and out apical impulse.
5. Marked
peripheral signs of AR.
Heart failure lead to erroneous
judgement of severity of AR due to peripheral vasoconstriction. So severely
should be reassessed after correction of heart failure.
