The Importance of the Pulmonic Valve Morphology in Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonic valve prolapse has been described in association with the mxyomatous “floppy” mitral valve syndrome and in congenital heart disease associated with pulmonary hypertension. A literature search suggests this finding of an isolated mxyomatous pulmonary valve with prolapse in adults with pulmonary hypertension is primarily or due to left sided heart conditions. This case report describes an isolated mxyomatous “floppy” pulmonic valve in a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension. Prolapse of the pulmonic valve is an echocardiographic qualitative hint of pulmonary hypertension. It is plausible to explain the morphological changes of the pulmonary valve as due to exaggeration of pulmonic valve excursion due to severely elevated pulmonary artery diastolic pressure.

Keywords:Pulmonic valve morphology; Pulmonic valve prolapse; Myxomatous pulmonic valve; Pulmonary hypertension

1. Recognition of the association between pulmonary valve prolapse and pulmonary hypertension

2. The importance of careful and dedicated imaging of the pulmonary valve.

3. Recognize the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of isolated mxyomatous pulmonic valve in patients with pulmonary hypertension have not been established but the association is real.