Pulmonary valve stenosis is often diagnosed when a physician hears an abnormal sound, such as a heart murmur, through a stethoscope during a routine examination. In many cases, the condition is diagnosed during childhood.
Tests to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary valve stenosis include:
Echocardiogram (also called echo) – This test uses sound waves to assess the function and structure of the heart muscle and valves.
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) – A test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Cardiac catheterization – A procedure to check for problems in coronary arteries. A long, thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery or vein in the groin, arm or neck, then threaded to the heart. The physician injects a contrast solution into the artery and takes X-rays to check for blockage and other abnormalities.
Cardiac MRI (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or CMR) – A noninvasive, sophisticated imaging procedure that uses large magnets and a computer to produce detailed images of the structure and function of the heart while it is beating.
CT heart scan – An imaging procedure that uses a type of X-ray that provides cross-sectional images of the body. It offers highly detailed information to study blood flow through the heart arteries and vessels to identify where blockages exist.
