Pulmonary regurgitation

Pulmonary regurgitation (also known as pulmonic regurgitation) is a condition characterized by the backward flow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the right ventricle of the heart, caused by inadequate closure of the pulmonary valve. This condition is a type of heart valve disease and can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Pulmonary regurgitation is most commonly caused by pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs. Other causes can include infective endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the inner lining of the heart, and rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated strep throat.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

In many cases, pulmonary regurgitation causes no noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, fatigue, and swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Pulmonary regurgitation is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests. These tests can include an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create images of the heart, and a cardiac catheterization, which involves threading a thin tube through a blood vessel to the heart.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for pulmonary regurgitation depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. In mild cases, no treatment may be necessary. In more severe cases, treatment options can include medications to lower blood pressure in the lungs, antibiotics to treat infective endocarditis, or surgery to repair or replace the pulmonary valve.

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Brown atrophy of the heart

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Keshan disease

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Loeffler endocarditis

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Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

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