The pulmonary valve is a tricuspid, semilunar valve that is similar in construction and size to the aortic valve. The valve has a right (R) -, a left (L) and an anterior cusp (A). The pulmonary valve has a slightly more left, anterior and superior position to the aortic valve.
Cross section of heart valves
Regurgitation
Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is a volume load for the RV. Important regurgitation will lead to RV dilation. Due to this volume load the RV will endure long but eventually will fail.
Quantification of pulmonary regurgitation
Parameter
Mild
Moderate
Severe
RV dimension
normal
normal / dilated
dilated
Density CW signal
weak
dens
dens
Contour CW signal
blunt
variable
steep
Systolic flow in pulmonary artery
slightly decreased
slightly decreased
decreased
Color doppler signal
narrow jet, below pulmonary valve level
wide jet far reaching in RV
wide retrograde jet partly outgoing of pulmonary branches
Causes of pulmonary regurgitation
Physiologic
Congenital
Acquired
PR is found in 40-80% of people
incorrectly constructed valve cusp(s)
As a result of pulmonary hypertension.
Absence or partial absense of a valve cusp
By balloon dilatation of the PV in correction of pulmonary stenosis
