Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Valve atresiais a congenital disorder (a condition present from birth) in which the heart valves do not fully form. It is diagnosed duringpregnancyor shortly after birth. Valve atresia is considered a critical heart defect, occurring in about 1% of babies born each year (approximately 40,000 births).
The heart has four chambers, with a valve separating each chamber.Valvesmove blood from the heart to the lungs and deliver oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.Serious complications can occur if the heart valves are not ensuring proper blood flow.
This article will explore the types of valve atresia and symptoms, causes, and treatment of this congenital disorder.
JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images
The Heart’s Chambers and Valves
Types of Valve Atresia
Valve atresia can occur in any of the four heart valves and disrupt regular blood flow. There are four major types of valve atresia.
Pulmonary Valve Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum
Pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum is when the pulmonary valve does not form, but the wall that separates theright and left ventricles(the bottom part of the heart) is intact.As the fetus’s heart develops during pregnancy, the right ventricle does not receive adequate blood flow, leading to problems pumping blood to the lungs and body.
Pulmonary Valve Atresia With a Ventricular Septal Defect
A ventricular septal defect is a hole between the bottom chambers of the heart, which allows blood to flow in and out of the right ventricle.When this occurs, the right ventricle develops more than in babies with an intact ventricular septum.
Tricuspid Atresia
Tricuspid atresia occurs when the tricuspid valve (the valve that controls blood flow from the upper right chamber of the heart to the lower right chamber) does not form.This stops blood flow to the lungs for oxygen and may require surgery soon after birth.
Aortic Valve Atresia
Aortic valvular atresia occurs when the flaps of the aortic valve are fused at birth, causing the right ventricle to be larger than normal and the left ventricle to be significantly smaller than normal. Having an undersized left ventricle deprives the body of adequate oxygen-rich blood.
Everything to Know About Congenital Heart Disease
Valve Atresia Symptoms
The cause of most congenital heart disorders is unknown.Emerging research suggests that they are likely due to genetic abnormalities.
Maintaining proper nutrition and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and certain medications during pregnancy are also important in ensuring optimal infant heart development. Maternal conditions, such asdiabetesor obesity, have been linked to congenital disorders.
Women may undergo ultrasounds during pregnancy to ensure fetal growth and development are progressing as expected. If a critical congenital heart disorder, like valve atresia, is suspected during an ultrasound, a fetal echocardiogram might be done to verify the suspicion.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about pulmonary atresia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about tricuspid atresia.StatPearls.Aortic valvular atresia.Medline Plus.Pulmonary atresia.Heart.org.Single ventricle defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Critical congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are congenital heart defects.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about pulmonary atresia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about tricuspid atresia.StatPearls.Aortic valvular atresia.Medline Plus.Pulmonary atresia.Heart.org.Single ventricle defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Critical congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are congenital heart defects.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about pulmonary atresia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about tricuspid atresia.StatPearls.Aortic valvular atresia.Medline Plus.Pulmonary atresia.Heart.org.Single ventricle defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Critical congenital heart defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are congenital heart defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital heart defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about pulmonary atresia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Facts about tricuspid atresia.
StatPearls.Aortic valvular atresia.
Medline Plus.Pulmonary atresia.
Heart.org.Single ventricle defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Critical congenital heart defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are congenital heart defects.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
