Pulmonic Regurgitation

Pulmonic (pulmonary) regurgitation is leakage of blood backward through the pulmonary valve each time the right ventricle relaxes.

• Pulmonic regurgitation usually does not cause symptoms.

• Doctors make the diagnosis because of physical examination findings, and they use echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis.

• The underlying disorder is treated.

(See also Overview of Heart Valve Disorders and the video The Heart.)

The pulmonic valve is in the opening between the right ventricle and the blood vessels going to the lungs (pulmonary arteries). The pulmonic valve opens as the right ventricle contracts to pump blood into the lungs. When the pulmonic valve does not close completely, some blood leaks backward from the pulmonary arteries into the right ventricle, termed regurgitation. (See also the video Valvular Regurgitation.)

The most common cause of pulmonic regurgitation is

• Abnormally high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)

The high pressure stresses the valve, causing it to leak.

Much less common causes are

• A birth defect of the valve

• Infection of the valve (infective endocarditis)

• Pulmonary artery enlargement

• Surgery to repair a heart defect

Pulmonic regurgitation usually causes no symptoms. Sometimes people develop swollen ankles or fatigue.