Pulmonic stenosis

Pulmonic stenosis, also known as Pulmonary stenosis, is a dynamic or fixed obstruction to flow from the right ventricle of the heart to the pulmonary artery. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood. Pulmonic stenosis is usually due to isolated valvular obstruction (Pulmonary valve stenosis), but may be due to subvalvular or supravalvular (Stenosis of pulmonary artery) obstruction. It may occur in association with more complicated congenital heart disorders.

Pathophysiology: When pulmonary stenosis (PS) is present, resistance to blood flow causes right ventricular hypertrophy. If right ventricular failure develops, right atrial pressure will increase, and this may result in reopening of the foramen ovale, shunting of unoxygenated blood into the left atrium, and systemic cyanosis. If PS is not severe, congestive heart failure occurs, and systemic venous engorgement will be noted. An associated defect such as a patent ductus arteriosus partially compensates for the obstruction by shunting blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery and into the lungs.

References

• Ren (Jul. 15, 2009). Pulmonic Stenosis. eMedicine Specialties > Cardiology > Valvular Heart Disease.
• Hockenberry, M. J., & Wilson, D. (2009). Wong's essentials of pediatric nursing. (8 ed., Vol. 1, p. 872). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.