PS/PR Flashcards
Pulmonary Valve
PV has 3 leaflets and sits at the junction of the _____ and _______
RVOT & main PA
Pulmonary Valve
What are the name of each cusp?
AC (anterior)
LC (left)
RC (right)
*note: anterior is the largest
Pulmonary Stenosis
Definition?
narrowing/thickening/obstruction of the PV that impedes systolic flow traveling fro the RV, though the PV, into the PA. Similar to AS
Pulmonary Stenosis
Types of PS?
- subvalvular (infundibular) PS: an obstruction of the RVOT (below the valve)
- valvular PS: an obstruction of the PV cusps
- supravalvular PS: an obstruction in the PA (above the valve)
Pulmonary Stenosis
Causes?
- congenital (mainly): the stenotic PV can be trileaflet, bicuspid, or dysplastic
- a part of more complex congenital anomaly (frequently): Tetralogy of Fallot, atrioventricular canal, double outlet RV etc)
- carcinoid heart disease: most common form of acquired PS
- subvalvular PS: *caused by sinus of Valsalva aneurysm which protrudes into the RVOT and obstruct flow
- Functional PS: tumor that compress the RVOT
- RHD: possible but uncommon
Pulmonary Stenosis
murmur?
harsh systolic ejection murmur heard at the left upper sternal border; a thrill may also be present
Pulmonary Stenosis
complication?
- dyspnea on exertion (*physical/mental effort)
- Jagular venous distension (enlargement)
- RVH, eventually RV dilatation & RA enlargement
- associated congenital anomalies
Pulmonary Stenosis Grading
peak Doppler velocity
mild?
severe?
mild: < 3 m/s
severe: > 4 m/s
Pulmonary Stenosis Grading
peak Doppler gradient
mild?
severe?
mild: < 36 mmHg
severe: > 64mmHg
Pulmonary Stenosis Grading
mean Doppler gradient
severe?
>40mmHg
Pulmonary Stenosis Grading
Always check tricuspid regurgitation gradient to rule out overestimation of PS gradient.
T or F ?
T
What is tetralogy of Fallot?
Tetralogy of Fallot is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. It happens when a baby’s heart does not form correctly as the baby grows and develops in the mother’s womb during pregnancy.
A heart defect that features four problems.
They are:
- a hole between the lower chambers of the heart (atrioventricular canal/ASD/VSD)
- an obstruction from the heart to the lungs (PS)
- The aorta lies over the hole in the lower chambers
- RV hypertrophy
Pulmonary Stenosis
What are the echo findings?
- thickening if the PV leaflets with systolic doming
- RV hypertrophy due to RV pressure overload = increased afterload
- flattening if the IVS due to the RV pressure overload *D shaped LV (can be visualized in PSAX)
- RA enlargement
- RV failure in the later stages of PS
- post-stenotic dilatation of the MPA due to the high velocity PS jet striking the PA wall *similar to AS
Pulmonary Stenosis
What are the M-mod findings?
“a” wave dip of the right posterior PV cusp
*normal range: 2-3 mm in depth
*severe: > or = 8mm in depth
Pulmonary Stenosis
Explain how to assess with Doppler
similar to AS, assess:
- peak velocity
- max & mean PG
- PVA
via the continuity equation
- CW focus in the PV; acquire the PV peak velocity & the VTI
- PW gate in the RVOT; acquire the RVOT peak velocity & VTI
*For a quick PG, utilize the modified Bernouli’s equation: PG = 4V2
Pulmonary Stenosis
PVA equation?
PVA = (VTI RVOT) (CSA RVOT) / (VTI PV)
*acquire the RVOT diameter just proximal to the PV
Pulmonary Stenosis
what is the normal range of RVOT proximal?
21-35mm
Pulmonary Stenosis
The Gorlin Formula can be used to calculate the PVA.
T or F ?
T
Pulmonary Stenosis
What views can be used for PV Doppler assessment?
- PLAX RVOT
- PSAX RVOT
- Subcostal base
Pulmonic Regurgitation
definition
the backward or regurgitant flow of blood through the PV into the RV during ventricular diastole; may be acute or chronic
Pulmonic Regurgitation
etiology
- incomplete PV closure due to PH (high pressure pulmonary disease): causes PA/PV annulus dilatation *most common cause
- infective endocarditis/vegetation *second most common
- RHD: uncommon; usually affect MV, AoV prior to PV
- Myxomatous (non cancerous tumor) degeneration
- Connective tissue disorder e.g. Marfan’s syndrome
- Congenital anomalies: Tetralogy of Fallot, VSD, valvular PS, absence of the PV etc
- iatrogenic: relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment e.g. post surgical repair
- PA catheter
- Carcinoid heart disease
- Syphillis
- Tuberculosis
- chest trauma
- prosthetic heart valve
- physiologic
Pulmonary Regurgitation
symptoms & signs
- asymptomatic; may be tolerated for years due solely to PR is rare
- dyspnea
- fatigue
- palpable RV impulse along left sternal border
- systolic/diastolic thrills (a vibratory movement or resonance) at the left upper sternal border
Pulmonary Regurgitation
murmur
a low-pitched diastolic murmur that may increase with inspiration
right-sided Austin Flint murmur: low frequency presystolic murmur
Graham-Steele murmur: a high-pitched blowing diastolic murmur may be heard when PH is present with PR
Pulmonary Regurgitation
treatment
- PR usually well tolerated
- endocarditis prophylaxis (prevention)
- Digitalis (Digitalis medicines strengthen the force of the heartbeat by increasing the amount of calcium in the heart’s cells) for RHF
- valvuloplasty/valve replacement

