How do aortic regurgitation effects preload and afterload?

In aortic regurgitation, there is an abnormal backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole due to the aortic valve not closing properly. This backflow increases the volume of blood that the left ventricle has to handle, leading to a significant increase in preload. Preload is defined as the degree of stretch in the cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole, which ultimately influences the volume of blood that fills the heart before it contracts. As more blood returns to the ventricle and remains there, preload is elevated.

Simultaneously, aortic regurgitation also increases the afterload on the left ventricle. Afterload refers to the resistance that the ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole. In the case of aortic regurgitation, although there is a volume overload, the left ventricle must generate higher pressure to push blood into the aorta, especially because it has to deal with both the forward flow of blood out to the body and the excess volume returning from the aorta. The combination of these two factors—greater stroke volume due to increased preload and increased systemic resistance—results in an overall increase in both preload and after