How to treat pulmonary regurgitation and breathlessness?

Question

Hello doctor,

My child was diagnosed with critical pulmonary stenosis and underwent balloon dilation at three months of age. She is now 13 years old. She has moderate pulmonary regurgitation, and her left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is 69 percent. She also has a mildly dilated right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery. She experiences breathlessness.

Should I be concerned?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per the cardiac MRI (attachment removed to protect patient identity), the degree of pulmonary valve regurgitation is at most moderate, with only mild dilation of the right ventricle (RV). Please be assured at this stage. However, she still requires yearly follow-ups, either with an echo or another cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). If you have the full MRI report, I would be happy to go through it with you.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It means the pulmonary artery is dilated more than the normal size for her age. The velocity refers to the speed of blood flow across the valve. A velocity of 1.5 m/s indicates that the degree of pulmonary stenosis is at most mild. The narrower the orifice, the higher the speed of blood flow across it. You can think of it like a house with water flowing through a pipe. If you apply pressure at the open end and make the opening smaller, the water will travel further because its speed increases.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.