Pulmonary Valve Disease
Pulmonary valve disease is a condition in which the pulmonary valve doesn’t work properly. This condition can interrupt blood flow from the heart to your lungs.
The pulmonary valve is located between the heart’s lower right heart chamber (right ventricle) and the artery that delivers blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery).
Types of pulmonary valve disease include:
Pulmonary valve stenosis: The valve is narrowed. This reduces the blood flow from the heart to the pulmonary artery and lungs.
Pulmonary valve regurgitation: The flaps of the pulmonary valve don’t close tightly. Blood moves backward into the right lower heart chamber, called the right ventricle.
Pulmonary atresia: This condition is present at birth. That means it is a congenital heart defect. The pulmonary valve isn’t formed. Instead, a solid sheet of tissue blocks blood flow from the right side of the heart. Blood can’t go to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
