Pulmonary Valve Stenosis is a condition that affects the pulmonary valve in the heart. The valve can develop a set of conditions, one of them being Pulmonary Valve Stenosis. This affects blood-flow to the lungs and reduces the availability of oxygen-rich blood to rest of the body. This leads to various symptoms in the body. In most cases, medication and minimally-invasive procedures will resolve the condition, while in some cases, surgery may be required. In this article, we will learn more.
Most of us are aware of the working of the heart. The heart has 4 chambers – 2 upper (called atria) and 2 lower (called ventricles). Impure blood from all over the body arrives at the right ventricle. The right ventricle contracts to push this impure blood into the pulmonary artery. This artery takes the blood to the lungs where gas-exchange happens and the blood gets purified. The purified blood then comes to the left atrium, then left ventricle, from where it’s pumped through the aorta to rest of the body. This cycle repeats again and again, for the entire lifespan of the person.
There are valves that regulate this flow of blood into the major arteries and veins, from the concerned chambers of the heart. The Pulmonary Valve is one of them, and lies at the start of the pulmonary artery. It’s a tricuspid valve meaning, it has 3 flaps (like 3 petals of a flower). When blood has to be pumped into the pulmonary artery, these flaps open, and allow blood-flow. Once that is done, they close tightly on each other to prevent back-flow of blood.
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis (PVS) is one of the 3 conditions that affect the Pulmonary Valve (other 2 being atresia and regurgitation). In this condition, the 3 flaps that make up the valve do not open fully. They have either become thick so they strangle the opening, or they have become stiff, so they don’t open freely. So, the opening available for blood-flow to the lungs, gets reduced (this is what is called stenosis). As a result of PVS, the entire volume of blood present in the right ventricle does not enter the pulmonary artery and reach the lungs.
As a direct consequence, the quantity of purified blood that is available for rest-of-the-body reduces, leading to various symptoms and conditions. Also, now, the right ventricle tries to pump harder (contracts more tightly) to clear the existing volume of blood. Over time, this causes the muscles in the walls of the right ventricle to become hard and thick.
The heart-valves are formed inside the foetus in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. According to cardiologists, most often, PVS is caused by genetic reasons, irrespective of what the mother did or did not do during pregnancy.
If you or a loved one is dealing with heart valve problems, understanding the available treatment options is crucial for effective management. At Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, our team of expert cardiologists and surgeons are committed to providing comprehensive care. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for your heart health.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
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