What are the presenting symptoms of severe acute aortic regurgitation?

Severe acute aortic regurgitation typically presents with sudden and significant symptoms due to the rapid onset of volume overload in the left ventricle, which can lead to pulmonary congestion and reduced cardiac output. Sudden severe shortness of breath is a primary symptom as the heart struggles to manage the increased blood flow returning to it from the aorta due to the regurgitation, leading to pulmonary edema. This acute change can result in patients experiencing intense dyspnea, often culminating in respiratory distress.

The other symptoms listed, while potentially relevant in other contexts, do not align as closely with the specific presentation of severe acute aortic regurgitation. Symptoms like chest pain and palpitations might occur but are not the hallmark signs of this condition. Severe headaches and dizziness may be indicative of other issues, likely related to reduced cerebral perfusion or vasodilation rather than a direct consequence of aortic regurgitation. Finally, persistent cough and fever could suggest an infectious process or lung condition but are not characteristic of aortic regurgitation. In essence, the acute presentation most recognizable in severe cases centers around respiratory distress, making shortness of breath the most prominent and telling symptom.