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Pulmonary Valve Syndrome Research Paper

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Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, Pediatric

Pulmonary valve stenosis is a heart problem some children are born with (congenital heart defect). This defect is a stiffening or narrowing (stenosis) of a one-way valve in the heart. It is the valve that allows blood to flow from the pumping chamber on the right side of the heart (right ventricle) into the blood vessel that carries blood to the lungs. If not enough blood is flowing through the valve, not enough oxygen will get into your child’s blood. The child’s heart will also be forced to work harder.
Pulmonary valve stenosis develops during the first 8 weeks as a child is growing inside the womb. It sometimes develops with other types of heart abnormalities. Pulmonary valve stenosis can range from …show more content…

• Bluish color of the skin.
• Trouble feeding.
• Not gaining weight.
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, face, or belly.
Older children may become short of breath when playing and may have chest pain.

DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
• Your child's symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, the health care provider will listen for an abnormal heart sound (heart murmur). This is caused by blood flow through the narrowed valve.
• Tests to confirm the diagnosis. Tests may include:
○ Chest X-ray. This may show an enlarged heart chamber caused by increased work.
○ Electrocardiogram (ECG). This is an electrical tracing of the heart’s rhythm. It may show abnormal heartbeats.
○ Echocardiogram. This test creates an image of the heart using sound waves and a computer. It may show an abnormal valve.
○ Cardiac catheterization. In severe cases, a health care provider may thread a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) into the heart through a blood vessel in the groin. This catheter can measure pressure and oxygen levels on both sides of the pulmonary valve.

TREATMENT
Treatment for pulmonary valve stenosis depends on how severe the condition …show more content…

This is the most common treatment. In this procedure, a catheter is placed in the heart. The catheter is placed through the valve. Then a tiny balloon on the end of the catheter is blown up to open the valve.
○ Heart surgery to open, repair, or replace the valve.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Follow all instructions from your child's health care provider.
• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by his/her health care provider.
• Do not give your child aspirin unless instructed to do so by your child's health care provider or cardiologist.
• Ask the health care provider whether your child has any activity restrictions. Depending on the severity of the the condition, some children can participate in the usual activities.
• Your child does not have to follow a special diet.
• Make sure your child’s immunizations are current.
• Let all health care providers know that your child has pulmonary valve stenosis before any medical procedure.
• Ask your health care provider if your child should take antibiotic medicine before having any medical or dental procedure.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is

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