Pulmonary Stenosis: Diagnosis and Treatment

How do doctors diagnose pulmonary stenosis?

Doctors can diagnose pulmonary stenosis with one or more of the following tests:

• Listening to the heart with a stethoscope. The pediatrician may hear a heart murmur (an extra sound the heart makes during a typical heartbeat). While heart murmurs are common and usually harmless, they can also be a sign of pulmonary stenosis.
• Imaging tests. This can include an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), MRI or CT scans.

How do doctors treat pulmonary stenosis?

Treatment of pulmonary stenosis depends on its severity. When the heart works well regardless of the stenosis, treatment is often unnecessary.

If the stenosis is preventing the heart from pumping blood, treatment may involve:

• Cardiac catheterization (when doctors open the valve by inserting a thin tube into an artery)
• Surgery to fix the valve so that blood can move through the vessel more easily

Will my child need follow-up care for pulmonary stenosis?

Follow-up care depends on the type of pulmonary stenosis your child has. The care team will talk with you about creating a treatment plan for your child’s unique symptoms and needs.

For mild pulmonary stenosis, your child might need regular follow-up care from the pediatric cardiologist. Children with mild stenosis and no symptoms can live typical lives without restrictions to exercise or lifestyle.

Rev. 9/2018. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.