The pulmonary valve

Abstract

The pulmonary valve consists of 3 leaflets and is similar in anatomy to the aortic valve. It is the least likely to be affected by acquired disease, and thus, most disorders affecting it are congenital. The most common hemodynamic abnormality of the pulmonary valve is the congenitally narrowed domed valve of pulmonic stenosis. Pulmonary stenosis is usually well tolerated in its mild and moderate forms. This article discusses the clinical evaluation, cardiac catheterization, and echocardiography of pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation.