Mid-diastolic aortic valve opening in severe acute aortic regurgitation.

A case of severe acute aortic regurgitation is reported. Echocardiographic findings included mid-diastolic opening of the aortic valve, premature closure of the mitral valve, diastolic shuddering of the anterior mitral leaflet, probable demonstration of the flail aortic cusp in the left ventricular outflow tract, and increased left atrial and left ventricular dimensions. Correlation with hemodynamic, angiographic and surgical evidence is made.