Pulmonary valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve between the
lower right heart chamber and the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from
the heart to the lungs. It is a structural problem that develops before a baby
is born (congenital heart defect).
Because the valve is narrow, the heart pumps harder to try to get
enough blood through it. The narrower the valve, the more symptoms the baby
Treatment for pulmonary valve stenosis is typically a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure called a percutaneous
balloon pulmonary dilation (valvuloplasty) to open up the valve.
repair of the defect (heart valve surgery) may be needed if the valve is badly deformed.
Before these treatments, medicines may be given to maintain the blood flow or
to otherwise improve heart function and blood flow.
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.