Descripción general

La enfermedad de la válvula pulmonar afecta a la válvula que está entre la cavidad inferior derecha del corazón y a la arteria que lleva la sangre a los pulmones. Esa arteria se llama arteria pulmonar. La válvula se llama válvula pulmonar.

Una válvula pulmonar afectada por la enfermedad no funciona correctamente. La enfermedad de la válvula pulmonar cambia el modo en que la sangre fluye por el corazón y los pulmones.

La válvula pulmonar suele actuar como una puerta de un solo sentido desde la cavidad inferior derecha del corazón hasta los pulmones. La sangre fluye desde la cavidad a través de la válvula pulmonar. Luego, pasa a la arteria pulmonar y llega a los pulmones. La sangre recoge el oxígeno en los pulmones para trasladarlo al cuerpo.

Entre los distintos tipos de enfermedades de la válvula pulmonar podemos encontrar los siguientes:

  • Estenosis de la válvula pulmonar. El estrechamiento de la válvula pulmonar reduce el flujo sanguíneo del corazón a la arteria pulmonar y los pulmones.
  • Regurgitación de la válvula pulmonar. Las hojuelas de la válvula pulmonar no se cierran completamente. La sangre regresa hacia la cavidad inferior derecha del corazón, que se conoce como ventrículo derecho.
  • Atresia pulmonar. Esta afección está presente al nacer. Eso significa que es un defecto cardíaco congénito. La válvula pulmonar no está formada. En su lugar, una lámina sólida de tejido bloquea el flujo sanguíneo desde el lado derecho del corazón, de manera que la sangre no puede ir a los pulmones a recoger oxígeno.

Muchos tipos de enfermedades de la válvula pulmonar se deben a afecciones cardíacas presentes al nacer. El tratamiento depende del tipo y la gravedad de la enfermedad de la válvula pulmonar.

Síntomas

Symptoms of pulmonary valve disease depend on the specific valve condition and how much blood flow is changed or blocked. Some babies are born with pulmonary valve disease. Symptoms may be noticed soon after birth. But sometimes symptoms aren't seen until later in life.

In general, pulmonary valve disease symptoms may include:

  • Chest pain.
  • Shortness of breath at rest or when active or lying down.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fainting.

Babies born with pulmonary valve disease may have blue or gray skin due to low oxygen levels. Depending on skin color, these changes may be harder or easier to see.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment for a health checkup if you or your child has:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest pain.
  • Fainting.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if chest pain is sudden or can't be explained.

Quick diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary valve disease can help reduce the risk of complications.

Causas

Usually, pulmonary valve disease is caused by a heart condition that develops before birth, called a congenital heart defect. But pulmonary valve disease may happen later in life as a complication of another illness.

To understand how pulmonary valve disease happens, it might help to know how the valve works.

The pulmonary valve is like a one-way door from the lower right heart chamber, called the right ventricle, to the lungs. Blood usually flows from that chamber through the pulmonary valve and into the lungs. Blood gets oxygen in the lungs to take to the body.

When the pulmonary valve doesn't work as it should, the heart must work harder to pump blood to the lungs. The extra work can cause the right ventricle to become thick.

Factores de riesgo

Things that can raise the risk of pulmonary valve disease are:

  • A heart condition that you're born with, also called a congenital heart defect. Some congenital heart defects affect the shape of the pulmonary valve and how it works.
  • Carcinoid syndrome. This condition happens when a rare cancerous tumor sends chemicals into the bloodstream. It can cause carcinoid heart disease, which commonly damages the pulmonary and tricuspid valves.
  • Chest injury. An injury to the chest, such as from a car accident, may cause damage that leads to pulmonary valve regurgitation.
  • German measles, also called rubella. Having German measles during pregnancy increases the risk of pulmonary valve stenosis in the baby.
  • Infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves, also called endocarditis. This condition can damage the pulmonary valve. IV drug misuse makes a person more likely to get endocarditis.
  • Noonan syndrome. This condition is caused by changes in genes. Pulmonary valve stenosis is a common heart complication seen in people with Noonan syndrome.

Feb. 25, 2025

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