Pulmonary Stenosis

What is Pulmonary Stenosis?

It is a defect that is identified by the difficulty for blood to flow smoothly from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This obstruction is caused by narrowing (stenosis) at one or more points from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary valve, which influences the flow of blood from the heart to lungs, causes a slow movement of blood because of a deformity in it, and is termed pulmonary stenosis disorder. Like all the other congenital cardiovascular diseases, its symptoms also measure from mild to severe. However, if the condition is too severe, it will cause the right ventricle to grow in size under unusual pressure, in order to take the flow of blood normally to the lungs. As a result, symptoms of right-sided heart failure may develop. Pulmonary stenosis is relatively common and accounts for about 10% of heart defects diagnosed during childhood. It can occur in children with otherwise normal hearts or along with other congenital heart defects.

Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of pulmonary valve stenosis might differ, depending upon the degree of its intensity. Individuals suffering from mild stenosis usually have no symptoms at all, but ones with a major stenosis experience symptoms while they exercise. The symptoms might include:

  • An unusual sound of the blood flow through heart.
  • Breathlessness because of exertion.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Bad appetite and poor weight gain.
  • Cyanosis. 

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Causes

Although doctors are not aware of the exact cause of pulmonary valve stenosis, some of the probable causes include:

  • Improper development of valve in the fetus.
  • Genetic disorder.
  • Other congenital heart defects.
  • Rheumatic fever.
  • Carcinoid tumour in the digestive system.

 

 

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Risks

The main risk factors are:

  • Carcinoid syndrome.
  • Rheumatic fever.
  • Noonan’s syndrome.
  • Family history or other genetic conditions.

 

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Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of pulmonary stenosis, these are certain things one should take care of:

  • Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
  • Quitting smoking.
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Having a diet low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat.
  • If the mother is identified with pulmonary stenosis during pregnancy, she should undergo balloon valvuloplasty.

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How is it diagnosed?

This disease is usually diagnosed in the childhood. If a heart murmur is heard while routine checkup is going on, the doctor might suspect of having a pulmonary stenosis and may conduct certain tes...

How is it treated?

Depending upon the blood pressure and other factors, this disease is categorized as light or acute. The intensity of the disease might need either open-heart surgery or balloon valvuloplasty.

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  • Open–heart surgery

    In this procedure, the doctor shall either fix the pulmonary artery or substitute the valve with an artificial valve. There are certain risks of blood clotting or bleeding, while the surgery is going on.

     

  • Balloon valvuloplasty

    In this procedure, an uninflated balloon is placed by the doctor through the opening in the narrowed valve. After some time, the balloon is inflated so as to widen the narrowed valve to facilitate an improved flow of blood.

When do I contact the doctor?

You should immediately consult a doctor when there is breathlessness due to exertion or loss of consciousness. Another alarming symptom is a sudden pain in the chest. The doctor will carry out the tests to identify the problem and start the necessary treatment.

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