Pulmonic (pulmonary) stenosis is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve opening that increases resistance to blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. It is often present at birth (congenital) and thus affects children.

Pulmonic stenosis, which is rare among adults, is usually due to a birth defect (see Birth Defects: Pulmonary Valve Stenosis). When the stenosis is severe, it is usually diagnosed during childhood, because it produces a loud heart murmur. Severe pulmonic stenosis occasionally causes heart failure in children but often does not produce symptoms until adulthood. Symptoms include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fainting.

Young children with this disorder often require heart surgery. In adults and older children, balloon valvuloplasty may be performed. In this procedure, the valve is stretched open using a balloon-tipped catheter threaded through a vein and eventually into the heart. Once inside the valve, the balloon is inflated, separating the valve cusps.

Last full review/revision May 2006 by Paul H. Tanser, MD