PVS is diagnosed with echocardiography and electrocardiography. Occasionally cardiac catherization might be necessary.
In severe cases, when the infant is exhibiting cyanosis (a blue coloring due to low oxygenation) during the first few days of his or her/his life, immediate surgery is necessary to open or reconstruct the valve. The less invasive option is a highly successful procedure called balloon dilation. A balloon tipped plastic tube is inserted through a vein in the leg and threaded to the heart. This is only a possibility when the valve is of normal size and simply needs to be opened. If the valve is malformed, more invasive surgery may be necessary. For some infants who undergo surgery during those first days, the surgery may have to be repeated in a few years.
Children who have mild PVS usually don’t require surgery.
