Pulmonary Incompetence
Pulmonary Incompetence Causes
There are several causes to this condition particularly severe pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in the arteries and veins of the lungs). Chronic lung disease, lung blood clots, and sometimes endocarditis (an inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves) cause pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary incompetence may also be caused by surgery for congenital heart disease.
Pulmonary Incompetence Definition
Pulmonary incompetence pertains to a structural defect of a heart valve. This disorder happens when the pulmonary heart valve is closes poorly and causes blood from the pulmonary artery to backflow into the right ventricle. It is more commonly known as pulmonary valve insufficiency.
Pulmonary Incompetence Diagnosis
Doctors determine the pitch and location of the murmur to know if the the patient has pulmonary valve insufficiency. An EKG and an echocardiography, ultrasound imaging, chest x-ray and/or an angiocardiography may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Pulmonary Incompetence Symptoms and Signs
Few or no symptoms are generally found with pulmonary valve insufficiency. A murmur may be initially noticed (using a stethoscope) in a medical exam of the heart and chest.
Pulmonary Incompetence Treatment
This disorder is usually not serious enough to need any treatment However, its symptoms can be managed using some medications like antibiotics. Because this is a structural defect, alternative medicines may be limited. Physicians may require patients to avoid activities that will aggravate this disorder's symptoms.