6th May 2025

Pulmonary regurgitation

Pulmonary regurgitation of any degree is frequently noted on echocardiography. Isolated pulmonary regurgitation is rarely symptomatic but for those patients with severe valve disease, replacement can be considered but it is not a common procedure. 

Where present it is often congenital, or can be acquired after surgical repair of the pulmonary stenosis seen in tetralogy of Fallot. 

Echo criteria for severe pulmonary regurgitation are less well validated, though colour flow reversal of pulmonary flow seen in a branch pulmonary artery is suggestive of severe disease.

Symptoms and signs of severe disease will include those of right heart volume overloading – raised JVP, peripheral oedema and ascites.