Valve Problems in Children with Heart Disease: What Patients and Families Should Know - Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic cardiac surgeon Joseph Dearani, M.D., discusses valve problems in children with heart disease and what is important for patients and families to know. Visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-co... for more information regarding congenital heart disease and to make an appointment. A regurgitant valve, also known as leaky valve, can be caused from anything from a structural abnormality of the valve (Ebstein’s anomaly), to things such as pulmonary atresia or damage to the valve from a previous procedure. Symptoms of a leaky valve include shortness of breath, fatigue, or failure to thrive in younger children. Diagnosing a leaky valve can be difficult, especially in children, as many times the symptoms are minimal and advanced disease can be present without symptoms. Techniques to repair a leaky valve include mobilization of one or more leaflets, increasing the size of the leaflet, placement of artificial cords, or reducing the size of the annulus. Echocardiogram, MRI, or CT imaging are used to determine the anatomy of the valve. These images are used to guide the intervention. Survival after treatment of a leaky valve is optimized when the valves can be repaired as opposed to being replaced.