Diagnostic Considerations

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome may occur in isolation without the presence of a ventricular septal defect (VSD). This rare anomaly usually causes severe distress at birth, especially when associated with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), because it can result in severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction.^[1]

A pulmonary artery may arise directly from the aorta. Absence of the left pulmonary artery has been reported. A nonrestrictive ductus arteriosus is more likely to be present in this scenario.^[20]

Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Media Gallery

Drawing showing absence of the pulmonary valve with features of tetralogy of Fallot. Note the small nubbins of tissue at the pulmonary valve annulus in the center of the drawing. Characteristic muscular right ventricular hypertrophy and infundibular pulmonary stenosis are present. A right aortic arch, a ventricular septal defect with overriding aortic valve, and massively dilated main and branch pulmonary arteries are present.
Pulmonary artery branching in a healthy person and in a patient with absent pulmonary valve syndrome.

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Author

Prema Ramaswamy, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, New York University; Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, St George’s University School of Medicine; Co-Director of Pediatric Cardiology, Maimonides Infants and Children's Hospital of Brooklyn, Lutheran Medical Center, and Coney Island Hospital

Prema Ramaswamy, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Cardiology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Julian M Stewart, MD, PhD Associate Chairman of Pediatrics, Director, Center for Hypotension, Westchester Medical Center; Professor of Pediatrics and Physiology, New York Medical College

Julian M Stewart, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Autonomic Society, American Physiological Society

Disclosure: Received research grant from: Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals<br/>Received grant/research funds from Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals for none.

Chief Editor

Howard S Weber, MD, FSCAI Professor of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Director of Interventional Pediatric Cardiology, Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital

Howard S Weber, MD, FSCAI is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Abbott Medical .

Additional Contributors

Ira H Gessner, MD Professor Emeritus, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Ira H Gessner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Kurt Pflieger, MD, to the development and writing of the source article.