* Physical Exam: (heard best if pt. sits up, leans forward, & exhale)
- Early Diastolic (decrescendo) murmur.
- Mid Systolic Ejection Murmur (Austin Flint)
- S3 gallop (competes w/ diastolic murmur);
- widened pulse pressure
- Etiology:
- Congenital (bicuspid valves)
- Rheumatic hrt, Endocarditis
- VSD;
- Sequelae: Angina, LVH, CHF, DOE, orthopnea, PND;
- small increase in After-Load may cause large increase in severity of AR