Refers to leakage of the aortic valve. Can be congenital (very rare) or an acquired valvular defect. In this case, the aortic valve leaks and the blood flows from the aorta back into the left ventricle during the slackening phase of the heart. The most common cause is shrinkage of the "pockets" that make up the flap. The reasons for this can be inflammation and calcification. The defective valve can be replaced with an artificially manufactured heart valve.
