Isolated aortic stenosis-development of pulmonary hypertension in childhood

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is uncommon in children with isolat­ed congenital aortic stenosis, and even when present is usually mild. It is primarily due to transmission of the elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure through the pulmonary capil­lary circulation and may be then further elevated by reflex vaso­constriction. In some cases the stretching of a patent foremen ovate secondary to elevated left atrial pressure; may lead to a significant left to right shunt which further enhances pulmonary hypertension. This report discusses two cases of isolated aortic stenosis developing pulmonary hypertension in childhood.