In a normal heart, the opening in the pulmonary valve has three flaps to open and close. In a patient with pulmonary atresia, the flap-like openings are covered by a layer of tissue. This significantly impacts the ability for the heart to shunt blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
What is the pathological mechanism underlying pulmonary atresia?
<s>[INST] Answer the question truthfully, you are a medical professional. This is the question: What is the pathological mechanism underlying pulmonary atresia? [/INST] \n In a normal heart, the opening in the pulmonary valve has three flaps to open and close. In a patient with pulmonary atresia, the flap-like openings are covered by a layer of tissue. This significantly impacts the ability for the heart to shunt blood to the lungs for oxygenation.</s>