How would heart function be affected if the AV valves didn completely close during ventricular contraction?
It really would depend on the degree of “backflow” and it depends on the valve. With the AV valves (mitral and triscuspid), mitral valve regurgitation that becomes more severe would be more concerning than triscuspid regurgitation since it affects the LV. But, severe TR can cause problems too. Problems that it would create would be heart failure; symptoms being shortness of breath with minimal exertion, lower extremity swelling or abdominal swelling, distended neck veins. Basically anything that compromises the heart as an effective pump can put someone at risk for heart failure. Some people have mild to moderate regurgitation and do just fine. It’s when it becomes more severe that it starts to be a problem, requiring more diuretics to help with heart failure symptoms. This is when surgical repair is usually suggested.
