Final answer:
Aortic insufficiency is a valvular heart disorder where the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing backward blood flow into the heart, which may require surgical intervention or medical management depending on the severity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aortic insufficiency is a condition where the aortic valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backwards into the left ventricle from the aorta during ventricular diastole. This backflow of blood can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications, such as heart failure, if not managed appropriately. Aortic insufficiency can occur due to issues with the valve itself, such as calcification or rigidness, or it may follow damage to the valve's supporting structures, such as a rupture of the chordae tendineae or papillary muscle damage after a myocardial infarction.
Patients may require surgical intervention, especially if the condition rapidly deteriorates. In less severe cases, ongoing monitoring and medical management may be adequate to control symptoms and preserve cardiac function. It's crucial to distinguish aortic insufficiency from aortic stenosis, another valvular disorder in which the aortic valve becomes narrowed and obstructs blood flow from the heart.