Pulmonary Stenosis

What is Pulmonary Stenosis?

Pulmonary stenosis is a heart valve disorder where the pulmonary valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs, becomes narrow or obstructed.

This narrowing restricts the blood flow to the lungs, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through the valve.

Side Effects of Pulmonary Stenosis

The severity of pulmonary stenosis can vary widely among individuals. Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath: Especially during physical activity.
• Fatigue: Due to the increased workload on the heart.
• Chest pain or discomfort: Often during exercise.
• Heart murmur: A sound heard during a heartbeat examination.
• Cyanosis: Bluish tint to the skin, lips, or fingernails in severe cases.

Untreated, severe pulmonary stenosis can lead to complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, or even sudden cardiac death in rare instances.

How is Pulmonary Stenosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:

• Physical examination: Listening to the heart for murmurs or other abnormal sounds.
• Imaging tests: Such as echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) to visualize the structure and function of the heart valves.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To detect abnormal heart rhythms.
• Cardiac catheterization: A more invasive procedure to measure pressures within the heart and blood vessels.

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining the severity of the condition and guiding treatment decisions.

Potential Treatment of Pulmonary Stenosis

Treatment options for pulmonary stenosis depend on the severity and symptoms experienced by the patient:

• Observation: Mild cases may require no immediate treatment but regular monitoring by a cardiologist.
• Medication: For managing symptoms such as chest pain or heart failure.
• Balloon valvuloplasty: A minimally invasive procedure where a catheter with a balloon is used to widen the narrowed pulmonary valve.
• Surgical repair or replacement: In cases where balloon valvuloplasty is not effective or for severe stenosis, open-heart surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the pulmonary valve.

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