Pulmonary stenosis Treatment in Singapore

What is Pulmonary valve stenosis?

A narrowing of the valve between the lower right heart chamber and the lung arteries is known as pulmonary valve stenosis. The flaps of a constricted heart valve may thicken or stiffen, decreasing blood flow via the valve.

A prenatal cardiac condition causes pulmonary valve disease. Adults may develop pulmonary valve stenosis as a side effect of another disease.

The severity of pulmonary valve stenosis varies. Procedures to replace or repair the valve may be necessary for moderate to severe pulmonary valve stenosis.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

To avoid complications and discomfort associated with symptoms, pulmonary stenosis must be treated promptly. Heart failure, arrhythmias, or even damage to the heart muscle may result from the condition's increased pressure on the right side of the heart if treatment is not received.

Additionally, timely therapy improves the patient's quality of life and overall prognosis by managing symptoms such as exhaustion, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

What are the Common Symptoms of Pulmonary stenosis?

The degree of blood flow obstruction determines the symptoms of pulmonary valve stenosis. The following are some signs of pulmonary valve stenosis:

• A heart murmur is a whooshing sound audible with a stethoscope.
• Feeling fatigued.
• Breathlessness, particularly during activities
• Chest discomfort.
• Fainting.
• Low oxygen levels in babies with pulmonary valve stenosis might cause their skin to appear blue or grey.

Types of Pulmonary Stenosis

There are four different types of pulmonary stenosis:

• Valvar pulmonary stenosis: The valve leaflets are either narrowed or thickened.
• Supravalvar pulmonary stenosis: The pulmonary artery narrows directly above the pulmonary valve.
• Subvalvar (infundibular) pulmonary stenosis: The thickening of the muscle underneath the valve narrows the right ventricle's outflow tract.
• Branch peripheral pulmonic stenosis: The left or right pulmonary artery, or maybe both, is constricted.

Causes, Risk Factors and Complications of Pulmonary Stenosis

Causes

• The most common cause of pulmonary valve stenosis is a congenital cardiac condition. It's unknown what exactly caused it. The pulmonary valve does not develop normally during a baby's growth inside the womb.
• The pulmonary valve consists of three thin tissue segments, known as flaps or cusps. The cusps open and close with every heartbeat, ensuring that blood flows in the proper direction.
• In pulmonary valve stenosis, one or more cusps may be thick or rigid. The cusps may occasionally be linked, fused, and not fully open. Due to the smaller hole, it is more difficult for blood to exit the lower right heart chamber, and thus, the chamber's internal pressure increases.

Risk Factors

The following factors may make pulmonary valve stenosis more likely:

• The Noonan syndrome: Changes in DNA are the cause of this illness. Numerous issues with the anatomy and function of the heart may result from it.
• Rheumatic fever: This consequence of strep throat may harm the heart and heart valves irreversibly. It raises the chance of pulmonary valve stenosis later in life.
• Carcinoid syndrome: This disorder develops when specific chemicals are released into the bloodstream by an uncommon malignant tumour.
• German measles (Rubella): Pregnancy-related German measles raises the baby's risk of developing pulmonary valve stenosis.

Complications

The following are potential side effects of pulmonary stenosis:

• Infectious endocarditis: It is an infection of the heart's lining. Individuals with pulmonary stenosis are more susceptible to bacterial infections that impact the heart's inner lining.
• Arrhythmias: Heartbeat irregularities are more common in those with pulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary stenosis-related irregular heartbeats are typically not fatal unless the stenosis is severe.
• Heart muscle thickening: In severe pulmonary stenosis, the lower right heart chamber must work harder to pump blood into the pulmonary artery.
• Heart failure: Heart failure develops when the right ventricle cannot pump blood effectively.
• Pregnancy complications: People with severe pulmonary valve stenosis are more likely than those without it to experience problems during labour and delivery.