The pulmonary valve is one of four heart valves (aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary). Its job is to move blood from the lower ventricle of the heart through the pulmonary artery and into the lungs.
Pulmonary valve disease occurs when the valve does not function properly and blood flow to the lungs is reduced or obstructed. Problems with this valve are common and often develop from congenital (present at birth) heart defects. Disease may be mild with minimal or no symptoms, or it can be severe, requiring treatment.
There are three types of pulmonary valve disease: stenosis, regurgitation and atresia.
Stenosis is a narrowing of the valve. This narrowing reduces the amount of blood that flows from the heart to the lungs.
Regurgitation is a “backwards” leaking of the blood through the heart. When the flaps of the valve do not close properly, blood can flow in the wrong direction, away from the lungs.
This is a congenital heart defect where the pulmonary valve does not form correctly. With atresia, the valve can either be defective or missing. When the pulmonary valve is defective, it may have formed as a solid piece of heart tissue without essential flaps. This blocks blood flow.
Pulmonary valve disease can either be congenital or acquired (developed later in life). The cause of disease varies by the type of problem. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Pulmonary valve stenosis is often caused by genetic disorders or exposure to certain diseases. Babies can be born with pulmonary valve stenosis if their mothers contracted rubella (German measles) while pregnant. This is the reason women are encouraged to be vaccinated for rubella before trying to get pregnant to reduce the risk to their babies. This is especially important for women who may have grown up outside of the United States, where MMR vaccination is more common during childhood.
Pulmonary valve regurgitation can result from high blood pressure or infections in the heart. It can also be present at birth with an unknown cause.
The cause of pulmonary atresia is usually unknown.
Symptoms can range from nonexistent to severe. When symptoms are present, patients may experience:
Some babies born with pulmonary valve disease show symptoms at birth; others may not exhibit signs until later in life. Babies with symptoms may be excessively sleepy. They may have difficulty with eating and breathing and may have bluish skin.
Because the cause of pulmonary valve disease is often unknown, it may not be possible to prevent or reduce the risk of developing the condition. Pregnant women should be vaccinated for rubella to reduce the risk of disease to the baby.
High blood pressure may lead to pulmonary valve disease, so it is important to control this chronic condition. Eating healthy foods, not smoking and getting regular exercise can keep your heart healthy which may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure.
If a health care provider hears a heartbeat abnormality with a stethoscope, they may recommend additional testing to check for heart valve disease. Diagnostic testing can include:
Whether or not pulmonary valve disease requires treatment depends on the severity of the condition.
Mild valve disease with no or minimal symptoms may not need treatment, and the health care provider may recommend watchful waiting. This involves regular checkups and imaging tests to assess the status of the disease.
Prescription medications can be used to treat mild symptoms of pulmonary valve disease. Diuretics reduce fluid retention that may accompany valve disease. If high blood pressure is causing the valve disease, medication may be used to control the underlying condition.
If stenosis causes the valve to narrow, a repair procedure may be needed. Balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to widen the valve. A catheter with a medical-grade balloon inside is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin. Using imaging technology, the surgeon guides the catheter to the heart and releases the balloon into the valve which widens it. Once the widening is complete, the balloon is deflated and removed with the catheter.
When pulmonary valve disease is severe, the valve may need to be replaced. This can be done with a human donor valve or with a mechanical valve. Minimally invasive catheter-based replacement options exist as well as open-heart surgery. The cardiac surgeon will assess the patient’s heart anatomy and overall health status and recommend the best treatment option.
The esteemed physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann have broad experience diagnosing and treating pulmonary valve disease. Patients with congenital or acquired heart valve disease can rely on our team of physicians and surgeons to assess the condition and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
From medication to minimally invasive procedures to surgery, our affiliated heart specialists utilize evidence-based therapies to keep patients heart-healthy to enjoy fuller lives.
If you’d like a referral to a heart and vascular specialist or want more information about our services, please fill out the form below. For other inquiries, such as obtaining medical records, imaging reports or test results, please call (713) 222-CARE (2273).