Download Ventricualr Septal Defect

PULMONARY STENOSIS
(PS)
CONTENTS
What is PS
What are the signs & symptoms
How is it treated
What can a parent do
WHAT IS PULMONARY STENOSIS
1. Pulmonary Stenosis (Pull-mon-airy Sten-O-sus) is a narrowing of the pulmonary
artery or the pulmonary valve causing an obstruction (blockage) of blood flow out of
the right ventricle to the lungs.
a. The most common type of pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing of the pulmonary
valve.
2. The normal pulmonary valve consists of three (3) thin and flexible valve leaflets.
When the right ventricle contracts (constricts) these valve leaflets spread apart
easily allowing the blood to flow out of the heart and to the lungs.
3. If the pulmonary valve or pulmonary artery is small, or if the pulmonary valve leaflets
are not formed normally, blood flow out of the heart may be more difficult or
blocked.
Pulmonary stenosis
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4. A Pediatric Cardiologist—a specialist in heart problems of babies and children—sees
babies with pulmonary stenosis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
1. Murmur—This is the sound made as blood in the heart flows through the obstructed
pulmonary artery or valve. It is heard when the doctor, nurse practitioner and/or
the nurse listens to your baby’s chest.
2. Cyanosis—This means a bluish coloring to the baby’s lips and skin. The cyanosis is not
usually seen immediately after birth. It usually develops or becomes more noticeable
in the first few days of life.
3. Infants/children with mild Pulmonary Stenosis usually do not have cyanosis.
4. Rapid/fast breathing (Tachypnea).
5. Work harder to breathe—have retractions.
6. Rapid/fast heart rate (Tachycardia).
7. Tire easily—even with everyday baby care, like feeding, handling, changing the
diaper.
HOW IS IT TREATED
1. If the neonatologist notices any of the symptoms listed above and thinks the baby
has PS an echocardiogram may be ordered.
2. An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound of the heart. It uses high frequency
sound waves to measure blood flow and is done at your baby’s bedside.
3. The pediatric cardiologist will see your baby and will decide if your baby’s heart
defect needs:
a. Regular checkups
b. Special tests and procedures
c. Surgery.
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4. Special tests and procedures
a. Echocardiography (ECHO): An ECHO is an ultrasound of the heart. It is a
painless procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of
the inside of your baby’s heart. It also measures the blood flow through his
heart. The test will not hurt your baby. An ECHO is important in eliminating
other problems that may be associated with PS, such as an atrial septal defect
(ASD) or a ventricular septal defect (VSD.) [other documents in this book have
information on these 2 cardiac defects, if not present please ask you baby’s
nurse to get them for you]
b. Cardiac catheterization: A cardiac catheterization, often called a “cardiac
cath,” can evaluate the size of the pulmonary artery, give us information about
the blood flow through the heart and lungs, as well as information about the
movement of the pulmonary valve. This procedure is done in the Cardiac Cath
Department and the baby is asleep for this procedure. Often we may be able to
fix the pulmonary valve during the cardiac cath procedure.
5. If your baby does need a “cardiac cath” and/or surgery, he may be transferred to
either Duke University Medical Center or The University Hospital at Chapel Hill for
the surgery.
a. If the decision is to transfer your baby to another hospital you will be asked to
sign a consent giving Cape Fear Valley Medical Center permission to transfer your
baby
b. If your baby is transferred to another hospital, the doctors there will also talk
with you about your baby’s cardiac cath procedure or surgery
c. Sometimes the cardiac cath procedure or surgery can be delayed until your baby
is older.
6. The procedure is done in the Operating Room and the baby is asleep. You will be
asked to sign a consent (give permission) for the procedure.
7. Once your baby’s condition is stable and the doctors are happy with the baby’s
progress, the baby may be returned to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
8. Both the pediatric cardiologist and our neonatologist will talk with you about your
baby and what they recommend.
9. Please feel free to ask questions at any time.
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WHAT CAN A PARENT DO
1. An important part of the baby getting better is the parents’ love and concern.
2. We encourage you to talk and sing to your baby, gently touch them and hold them
close if tolerated by the baby. Talk with your baby’s nurse about this.
3. Your love and attention will go a long way in helping your little one on the road to
recovery.
4. If your baby returns to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, keep up with your baby’s
progress each time you visit or call.
Reviewed/Revised: 01/06…..06/13
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