Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding complications of pulmonary valve regurgitation as follows:
- Heart failure: Increased back-up of blood with valve disorder can result in increased blood volume and pressure in heart, enlargement of the heart, progressive weakening of heart muscle, and heart failure. Patients can present with symptoms of heart failure, such as, fluid retention in the chest leading to difficulty in gas exchange in the lungs, swelling of the extremities with pitting edema, and grossly limited exercise tolerance with exacerbation of episodes of shortness of breath.
- Compromised end organ function: Progressively reduced blood supply to the end organs, such as, brain, heart, lung, stomach, and kidneys, can result in deterioration of overall function of these organs. Individuals with history of stroke, renal failure, and heart attack, can be at increased risk for symptoms of compromised organ function.
- Increased weakness and fatigue: Reduced blood supply to the muscles can result in reduced oxygen supply to the muscle, thus leading to muscle pain, fatigue, and reduced endurance to activity.
