What is Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Pulmonary valve stenosis is the narrowing of the pulmonary valve opening. The stenosis limits the blood flow between the right ventricle (lower chamber of the heart) and the pulmonary artery. This results in the right ventricle working very hard to pump blood into pulmonary artery resulting in the right ventricle becoming thickened.
Causes of Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
The most common cause of pulmonary valve stenosis happens when the valve doesn’t develop fully during fetal growth.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Some common symptoms may include some of the following:
- chest pain or discomfort
- fatigue
- fainting
- heart murmur
- shortness of breath
Diagnosing Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Your physician may order one or more of the following tests to confirm you have pulmonary valve stenosis:
- electrocardiogram or ECG
- chest x-ray
- echocardiogram or transthoracic echocardiogram
- cardiac catheterization
Treatment Options for Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Treatment options for pulmonary valve stenosis depend on the severity of the disease and may include:
- Medical therapy and medical surveillance for mild to moderate pulmonary valve stenosis.
- Transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement is a treatment option for severe, symptomatic pulmonic stenosis. The new valve is delivered by a catheter inserted in the groin in lieu of surgery.
- Surgical tricuspid valve repair or replacement, including minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques or open-heart surgery. For this procedure, your surgeon will discuss with you the pros and cons of a mechanical or tissue valve.