Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

 Pulmonary valve stenosis is a condition characterized by obstruction to blood flow 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. The most common form of pulmonary stenosis is obstruction at the valve itself, referred to as pulmonary valvar stenosis.

Pulmonary valve stenosis signs and symptoms vary, depending on the extent of the obstruction. People with mild pulmonary stenosis usually don't have symptoms. Pulmonary valve stenosis signs and symptoms may include Heart murmur - an abnormal whooshing sound heard using a stethoscope, caused by turbulent blood flow, Shortness of breath, especially during exertion, Chest pain, Loss of consciousness (fainting), Fatigue.

Analysis on pulmonary valve stenosis around Germany gave the result as during a mean follow-up of 14.4 ± 0.54 years, 31 children developed pulmonary stenosis. Onset of significant stenosis occurred as early as 30 days and as late as 10 years after arterial switch operation. Uncomplicated interventional balloon/stent angioplasty was performed in 11 patients with supravalvular stenosis (mean pressure gradients of 65 mmHg). Severe restenosis occurred in these patients post-angioplasty (range 2-7 years). In other 10 patientseither patch enlargement of the area involved or angioplasty were performed. Freedom from intervention was 68.6±8.7% at 1 year and 42.8.1±9.5% at 15 years and onwards.