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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pulmonary valve stenosis usually occurs due to improper development of the pulmonary valve during fetal growth, often in association with other heart abnormalities present at birth (congenital). It's not certain what causes the valve to develop abnormally. There are three types of pulmonary stenosis:
- Valvular — involving the valve leaflets
- Subvalvular — below the valve
- Supravalvular — above the valve
Some people with pulmonary stenosis may have more than one type. The most common type of pulmonary stenosis is valvular.
What happens during normal circulation
During circulation, oxygen-poor blood is pumped from your heart, through the pulmonary valve and into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries the blood to your lungs to pick up oxygen and drop off carbon dioxide.
The pulmonary valve is made up of three thin leaflets arranged in a circle, much like a three-piece pie. With each heartbeat, the valve opens in the direction of blood flow — into the pulmonary artery and continuing to the lungs — and then closes when the right ventricle relaxes to prevent blood from flowing backward into the right ventricle of the heart.
What happens in pulmonary valve stenosis
In pulmonary valvular stenosis, one or more of the leaflets may be defective or too thick, or the leaflets may not separate from each other properly. If this happens, the valve doesn't open correctly, restricting blood flow.
Other contributing conditions
Infrequently, other medical conditions or having an artificial valve can cause the condition in older people.
- Carcinoid syndrome. This syndrome is a combination of signs and symptoms, including flushing of the skin and diarrhea. Carcinoid syndrome results from the release of a chemical, serotonin, from growths called carcinoid tumors located in the small intestine. People with carcinoid syndrome may develop problems with their heart valves from the serotonin.
- Rheumatic fever. This is a complication of an infection caused by streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Rheumatic fever may injure the heart valves.
