Pulmonary valve stenosis

Alternative names:

heart valve pulmonary stenosis; valvular pulmonary stenosis

Definition:

A condition, usually present at birth, in which blood flow from the right ventricle of the heart is obstructed in varying degrees

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pulmonary stenosis is most often caused by a malformation during fetal development for unknown reasons. A narrowing may occur in the pulmonary valve or below the pulmonary valve at the pulmonary artery. The defect may occur alone, or with other heart defects. The condition can be mild or severe. It affects about 1 out of 8000 infants. Pulmonary stenosis can occur later in life as a result of conditions that cause damage or scarring of the heart valves. This includes rheumatic fever, endocarditis, and other disorders.