Question

Valve stenosis (“narrowing”) is a disorder characterised by stiffening of the heart valve flaps. It can occur as a congenital defect, a consequence of prolonged calcium ion imbalance, or an infection. Patients experiencing valve stenosis often have obstructed blood flow that requires surgical intervention.

Think about how the blood flow would be disrupted as it passes each of the heart valves if they were stiff.

What happens to the heart over all?

Answer 1

Let's look at each stiffened heart valves (Valvular Stenosis), and their effect on blood flow and heart separately:

Tricuspid valve stenosis: If present, blood is not able to move completely from RA to RV. This leads to enlargement of atrium (pressure hypertrophy), which also affects pressure and blood flow in the surrounding chambers and veins. It can reduce the size of RV that can lead to less blood flow to lungs.

Pulmonary valve stenosis: If present, the flow of oxygen-depleted blood from the RV through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs gets restricted. This leads to less oxygenation of the blood and there is less oxgen supply to the body ultimately. Moreover, the RV works harder to pump blood through the narrowed pulmonary valve, consequently resulting in increased pressure causing RV pressure hypertrophy. It also leads to pulmonary artery dilation distal to stenosis.

Mitral valve stenosis: If present, blood flow from the LA to the LV is reduced. Since supply of oxygenated blood to the whole body is affected, it can lead to tiredness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Pressure increases in LA causing LA pressure hypertrophy. LV shrinks in size.

Aortic valve stenosis: If present, blood flow from LV to your aorta and then to the rest of your body gets restricted. Consequently, the LV contracts harder to push blood across the aortic valve. This leads to LV hypertrophy which makes the heart less efficient, increasing the risk of heart failure.