What It Is
Oxygen-depleted blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Normally the pulmonary valve has three leaflets. If these leaflets are malformed, the valve may become narrowed (stenotic) or leaky (insufficient). The stenosis, insufficiency or both can be mild to severe.
Oxygen-depleted blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Normally the pulmonary valve has three leaflets. If these leaflets are malformed, the valve may become narrowed (stenotic) or leaky (insufficient). The stenosis, insufficiency or both can be mild to severe.
Surgical Treatment
If the stenosis is severe, the pulmonary valve must be opened to increase blood flow to the lungs. A balloon-tipped catheter is used to do this. It dilates (widens) the valve when the balloon is inflated. The valve also may be opened during open-heart surgery.
If the stenosis is severe, the pulmonary valve must be opened to increase blood flow to the lungs. A balloon-tipped catheter is used to do this. It dilates (widens) the valve when the balloon is inflated. The valve also may be opened during open-heart surgery.
If the insufficiency is severe, an operation is required to repair or replace the pulmonary valve.
Medical
If your pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency was severe, you'll need ongoing care to check for restenosis or increasing insufficiency. If it's mild or moderate, you probably won't need surgical treatment at first. But you will need ongoing follow-up so your cardiologist can check for arrhythmias or any signs of strain or dilation of your right ventricle. (The right ventricle is the heart chamber that pumps blood through the pulmonary valve.)
If your pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency was severe, you'll need ongoing care to check for restenosis or increasing insufficiency. If it's mild or moderate, you probably won't need surgical treatment at first. But you will need ongoing follow-up so your cardiologist can check for arrhythmias or any signs of strain or dilation of your right ventricle. (The right ventricle is the heart chamber that pumps blood through the pulmonary valve.)
Activity Restrictions
If you have mild to moderate pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency, you probably won't need to limit your physical activity. If it's severe, you may need to limit your activity because of strain or dilation of the right ventricle or arrhythmias. Ask your cardiologist about exercise recommendations.
If you have mild to moderate pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency, you probably won't need to limit your physical activity. If it's severe, you may need to limit your activity because of strain or dilation of the right ventricle or arrhythmias. Ask your cardiologist about exercise recommendations.
Problems You May Have
Symptoms
If you have mild pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency, you probably won't have any symptoms. If it's moderate or severe, you may not tolerate exercise well and may have shortness of breath or palpitations.
If you have mild pulmonary stenosis or insufficiency, you probably won't have any symptoms. If it's moderate or severe, you may not tolerate exercise well and may have shortness of breath or palpitations.
Pregnancy
You'll likely handle pregnancy well if you have mild or moderate stenosis or regurgitation. If your lesion is severe, pregnancy may be higher risk, particularly if you have an artificial valve. Your cardiologist should be involved in your care during pregnancy and delivery.
You'll likely handle pregnancy well if you have mild or moderate stenosis or regurgitation. If your lesion is severe, pregnancy may be higher risk, particularly if you have an artificial valve. Your cardiologist should be involved in your care during pregnancy and delivery.
congenital heart defects
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