What Is Pulmonary Stenosis?

Pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve opening. This narrowing restricts blood flow from the lower right chamber of the heart (ventricle) and the pulmonary arteries, which deliver blood to the lungs.

Symptoms

Pulmonary stenosis symptoms can vary based on the severity of the condition. Individuals with mild pulmonary stenosis may not show any symptoms. The most common and first recognized symptom is usually a heart murmur, which is a distinctive sound of the heart identified through a stethoscope. Pulmonary stenosis is rare in adults.

Common pulmonary stenosis signs include:

• Heart murmur
• Trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Fainting

Causes

Pulmonary stenosis can be caused by several factors. The condition usually occurs during fetal development before birth. Infants with pulmonary stenosis may also have other heart defects.

The common causes of pulmonary stenosis in infants include:

• Defective or thickened pulmonary valve.
• Other medical conditions that impact the heart valves, such as Carcinoid syndrome or Rheumatic fever.

Diagnosis

Pulmonary valve stenosis diagnosis typically occurs at or soon after birth. However, the condition can go unrecognized until adulthood. The most common way for pulmonary valve stenosis to be detected is for your doctor to hear a heart murmur during a routine medical exam.

Your doctor will order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. After these tests are complete, your doctor will determine whether your condition is mild, moderate or severe.

Diagnostic tests for pulmonary valve stenosis:

• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) – This noninvasive test measures your heart’s movements.
• Electrocardiogram – This test measures the electrical activity of your heart.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – A MRI uses both a magnetic field and controlled radio waves to generate clear images of your heart and blood vessels.
• Cardiac catheterization – A long thin tube (catheter) is inserted into your vein to reach and repair your heart.

Treatment

Pulmonary stenosis treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Children with mild or moderate pulmonary stenosis often require no additional treatment. We recommend that children with pulmonary stenosis get regular checkups for monitoring by their pediatrician.

Children with moderate to severe pulmonary stenosis may require more intensive monitoring an even pulmonary valve repair through surgery.

Surgery and procedures for pulmonary stenosis can include:

• Pulmonary valve surgery – This is a surgery to repair or replace your pulmonary valve.
• Balloon valvuloplasty – This surgery is a catheter-based treatment that uses an expanded balloon to repair your pulmonary valve.

Pulmonary stenosis life expectancy and outcomes are optimistic. The earlier you get treatment, the better the outcomes. Baptist Health is here to help.

Causes

Pulmonary stenosis can be caused by several factors. The condition usually occurs during fetal development before birth. Infants with pulmonary stenosis may also have other heart defects.

The common causes of pulmonary stenosis in infants include:

• Defective or thickened pulmonary valve.
• Other medical conditions that impact the heart valves, such as Carcinoid syndrome or Rheumatic fever.

Diagnosis

Pulmonary valve stenosis diagnosis typically occurs at or soon after birth. However, the condition can go unrecognized until adulthood. The most common way for pulmonary valve stenosis to be detected is for your doctor to hear a heart murmur during a routine medical exam.

Your doctor will order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. After these tests are complete, your doctor will determine whether your condition is mild, moderate or severe.

Diagnostic tests for pulmonary valve stenosis:

• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) – This noninvasive test measures your heart’s movements.
• Electrocardiogram – This test measures the electrical activity of your heart.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – A MRI uses both a magnetic field and controlled radio waves to generate clear images of your heart and blood vessels.
• Cardiac catheterization – A long thin tube (catheter) is inserted into your vein to reach and repair your heart.

Treatment

Pulmonary stenosis treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Children with mild or moderate pulmonary stenosis often require no additional treatment. We recommend that children with pulmonary stenosis get regular checkups for monitoring by their pediatrician.

Children with moderate to severe pulmonary stenosis may require more intensive monitoring an even pulmonary valve repair through surgery.

Surgery and procedures for pulmonary stenosis can include:

• Pulmonary valve surgery – This is a surgery to repair or replace your pulmonary valve.
• Balloon valvuloplasty – This surgery is a catheter-based treatment that uses an expanded balloon to repair your pulmonary valve.

Pulmonary stenosis life expectancy and outcomes are optimistic. The earlier you get treatment, the better the outcomes. Baptist Health is here to help.