pulmonalisklep

Pulmonalisklep, in English the pulmonary valve, is one of the four heart valves. It is a semilunar valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk. The valve has three cusps (often referred to as anterior, left, and right) and a fibrous annulus that anchors it in place. It forms as part of the outflow tract development of the heart and helps shape the flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary arteries.

Functionally, the pulmonalisklep opens during right ventricular systole to allow blood to flow into the pulmonary artery and closes during diastole to prevent backflow into the ventricle. This unidirectional flow is essential for efficient pulmonary circulation and for maintaining proper right heart pressures.

Clinical relevance encompasses congenital and acquired abnormalities. The most common problem is pulmonic stenosis, a narrowing that impedes blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs. Pulmonic regurgitation, where the valve does not seal adequately, can occur after surgery or in certain diseases such as infections or carcinoid syndrome. Less frequently, the valve can be affected by rheumatic disease or become involved in complex congenital heart conditions like tetralogy of Fallot.

Diagnosis typically starts with echocardiography, which uses Doppler to assess valve motion and pressure gradients. MRI or CT imaging may be used for precise anatomy. Treatment depends on severity: mild stenosis or regurgitation may require monitoring, while significant disease can be treated with percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty or surgical intervention, including valvotomy or, in select cases, valve replacement.

Prognosis varies with underlying cause and treatment success; many individuals with isolated, well-managed pulmonic valve disease lead normal lives.