Valve Surgeries

The heart has four chambers. There are two small chambers at the top of the heart called atria, and two larger chambers at the bottom called ventricles.

Each ventricle has two valves:

One valve controls the blood flowing into the ventricle
The other valve controls the blood flowing out of the ventricle

Each valve is made up of flaps, also called leaflets or cusps. These flaps open and close, acting as one-way gates for the blood to flow through.

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

Pulmonary valve stenosis is a heart valve disorder in which outflow of blood from the right ventricle of the heart is obstructed at the level of the pulmonic valve. This results in the reduction of flow of blood to the lungs. Valvular pulmonic stenosis accounts for 80% of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Signs and 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
Palpitations

Evaluation

The initial evaluation of pulmonary valve stenosis involves echocardiography.
Treatment

Valve replacement or surgical repair (depending upon whether the stenosis is in the valve or vessel) may be indicated. If the valve stenosis is of congenital origin, balloon valvuloplasty is another option, depending on the case..