Description

Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve is a type of heart valve disease. The valve between the two chambers of the heart does not close as it should. The blood flows backward through the valve in the top right of the camera. If you have tricuspid regurgitation, less blood flows to the lungs. The heart has to work harder to pump blood.

The condition may also be referred to as:

  • The tricuspid regurgitation.
  • Tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Some people are born with the disease of the heart valve that leads to tricuspid regurgitation. This is called congenital heart valve disease. But regurgitation of the tricuspid valve can also occur later in life, due to the infections and other health conditions.

Mild regurgitation of the tricuspid valve may cause no symptoms or require treatment. If the condition is severe and causing symptoms, medicine, or surgery may be necessary.

Symptoms

Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, often does not cause symptoms until the condition is severe. It can be found when the medical tests are done for another reason.

Symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation may include:

  • Extreme tiredness.
  • Shortness of breath with activity.
  • Feelings of fast or pounding heartbeat.
  • Strong or pulsating sensation in the neck.
  • Swelling in the abdomen, the legs, or the veins of the neck.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment for a health checkup if you are tired very easily or shortness of breath with activity. You may need to see a doctor trained in heart, called a cardiologist.

Causes

To understand the causes of tricuspid regurgitation, it can help to know how the heart and the heart valves tend to work.

A typical heart has four chambers.

  • The two upper chambers, called the atria receive the blood.
  • The two lower chambers (the ventricles), the blood pump.

Four valves open and close to keep the blood flowing in the right direction. These heart valves are:

  • The aortic valve.
  • Of the Mitral valve.
  • Tricuspid valve.
  • The pulmonary valve.

The tricuspid valve is located between the two heart chambers. It has three flaps thin tissue called cusps or leaflets. These flaps open to allow the blood to move in the top right of the camera to the bottom right side of the camera. The valve flaps, then close tightly so that the blood does not flow backwards.

In the regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, the tricuspid valve does not close tightly. Thus, the blood leaks backwards in the upper right part of the heart of the camera.

Causes of tricuspid regurgitation include:

  • A problem of the heart that you are born with, also called a congenital defect of the heart. Some congenital heart defects affect the shape of the tricuspid valve and how it works. Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve in children is usually caused by a rare heart problem present from birth called Epstein's anomaly. In this condition, the tricuspid valve does not form properly. It is also lower than usual, in the lower right part of the heart of the camera.
  • Marfan syndrome. This condition is caused by changes in genes. Affects the fibers that support and anchor your organs and other structures in the body. It is sometimes associated with tricuspid insufficiency.
  • Rheumatic fever. This complication of strep throat can cause permanent damage to the heart and heart valves. When that happens, it is called rheumatic heart valve disease.
  • The infection of the heart lining and valves of the heart, also called infective endocarditis. This condition can cause damage to the tricuspid valve. IV drug use increases the risk of infective endocarditis.
  • The carcinoid syndrome. This condition occurs when a rare cancerous tumor the release of certain chemicals in the bloodstream. Can lead to heart disease, carcinoid, that the damage to the heart valves, most commonly the tricuspid and pulmonary valves.
  • Chest injury. An injury in the chest, such as a car accident, it can cause damage that leads to tricuspid regurgitation.
  • Pacemaker or other heart device cables. Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve that could happen if the wires of a pacemaker or a defibrillator cross the tricuspid valve.
  • Biopsy of the heart, also called an endomyocardial biopsy. A damaged heart valve can sometimes happen when a small amount of heart muscle tissue is removed for examination.
  • The radiation therapy. Rarely, radiation therapy for cancer that focuses on the area of the chest can cause regurgitation of the tricuspid valve.

Risk factors

A risk factor is something that makes you more likely to get a disease or health condition.

Things that may increase the risk of tricuspid regurgitation are:

  • An irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).
  • Being born with a heart problem, it is called a congenital defect of the heart.
  • The damage to the muscle of the heart, including heart attack.
  • Heart failure.
  • High blood pressure in the lungs, also called pulmonary hypertension.
  • Infections of the heart and heart valves.
  • History of radiation therapy to the chest area.
  • The use of some weight-loss drugs and medications to treat migraines, and mental health disorders.

Complications

Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve complications may depend on the severity of the condition. The possible complications of tricuspid regurgitation include:

  • An irregular and often rapid heart beat, called atrial fibrillation (AFib). Some people with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, also have this heart rhythm disorder. Atrial fibrillation has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots and strokes.
  • Heart failure. In severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, the heart has to work harder to pump enough blood to the body. The extra effort that makes the lower right chamber of the heart larger. Without treatment, the heart muscle weakens. This can cause heart failure.

Diagnosis

Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve may occur in silence. It can be found when the test image of the heart is performed for other reasons.

For the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency, a healthcare professional will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. The care provider listens to your heart through a device called a stethoscope. A whooshing sound called a heart murmur can be heard.

Tests

To know if you have tricuspid regurgitation, tests are done to check your heart and the heart valves. The tests can show how severe any disease of the valve is and help you understand the cause.

The tests for the diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation may include:

  • The echocardiogram.This is the main test for the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency. Uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. Shows how blood flows through the heart and the valves of the heart, including the tricuspid valve. There are different types of echocardiograms. An echocardiogram standard is called a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). It creates images of the heart from the outside of the body. Sometimes, a in more detail in the echocardiogram is needed to better see the tricuspid valve. This test is called a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). It creates images of the heart from the inside of the body. The type of echocardiogram that you have depends on the reason for the test and your health in general.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test records the electrical signals in the heart. It is shown how the heart is beating. Sensors, called electrodes, stick in the chest and sometimes the legs. Connect the cables from the sensors to a computer, which displays or prints the results.
  • X-ray of the chest. An x-ray of the chest shows the condition of the heart and the lungs.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance. This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart. MRI can help to show the severity of the regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. The test also gives details on the lower right part of the heart of the camera.
  • The cardiac catheterization. This test is not often used to diagnose the disease of the tricuspid valve. But it may be useful if other tests are not diagnosed the cause of the condition. A doctor guides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through a blood vessel in the arm or in the groin. Moves to an artery in the heart. Contrast medium flows through the tube. This makes the arteries of the heart are shown more clearly on x-rays taken during the test. The pressures in the heart can also be measured during this test.

The echocardiogram. This is the main test for the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency. Uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. Shows how blood flows through the heart and the valves of the heart, including the tricuspid valve.

There are different types of echocardiograms. An echocardiogram standard is called a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). It creates images of the heart from the outside of the body. Sometimes, a in more detail in the echocardiogram is needed to better see the tricuspid valve. This test is called a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). It creates images of the heart from the inside of the body. The type of echocardiogram that you have depends on the reason for the test and your health in general.

Assay

After the test confirms a diagnosis of the tricuspid valve or other heart valve disease, your health care team can tell you that the stage of the disease. Staging helps to determine the most appropriate treatment.

The stage of heart valve disease depends on many things, including symptoms, severity of the disease, the structure of the valve or valves and the flow of blood through the heart and lungs.

Heart valve disease is staged in four basic groups:

  • Stage A: At risk. Risk factors for heart valve disease are present.
  • Stage B: Progressive. Valve disease is mild or moderate. No valve of the heart of the symptoms.
  • C-stage: Asymptomatic severe. No valve of the heart of the symptoms, but the disease of the valve is severe.
  • Stage D: Symptomatic severe. Heart valve disease is severe and is causing the symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment for tricuspid regurgitation depends on the cause and how severe it is. The goals of treatment are to:

  • Help the heart work better.
  • To reduce the symptoms.
  • Improve the quality of life.
  • To prevent complications.

Tricuspid regurgitation treatment may include:

  • Drugs.
  • A heart operation.
  • Surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve of the heart.

The exact treatment depends on the symptoms and severity of the valve disease is. Some people with mild regurgitation of the tricuspid valve only the need of regular health checkups. Your health care team will tell you how often you need to dating.

Drugs

Your health care professional may suggest medications to control the symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation. Medications can also be used to treat the cause.

Some medications that are used for the regurgitation of the tricuspid valve are:

  • Diuretics. Often called water pills, these medications can make you urinate more often. This helps to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the body.
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics. Also called aldosterone antagonists, these drugs may help some people with heart failure live longer.
  • Other medications to treat or manage heart failure.
  • Medications to control irregular heartbeats. Some people with tricuspid regurgitation have a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Therapies

Supplemental oxygen may be given to those who have pulmonary hypotension with tricuspid regurgitation.

Surgery or other procedures

Surgery may be necessary to replace or repair a diseased or damaged of the tricuspid valve.

Tricuspid valve repair or replacement may be done as open-heart surgery or as minimally invasive heart surgery. Sometimes, the disease of the tricuspid valve can be treated with a catheter-based procedure. The treatment can help to improve blood flow and reduce the symptoms of heart valve disease.

You may need to tricuspid valve repair or replacement surgery if:

  • Valve disease is severe and you have symptoms such as shortness of breath.
  • Your heart is getting bigger and bigger, or weaker, even if you have no symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation.
  • You have tricuspid regurgitation and the need for heart surgery for another condition, such as disease of the mitral valve.

Types of heart valve surgery for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation include:

  • Repair of the tricuspid valve.Surgeons recommend that the valve repair whenever possible. Save the heart of the valve. It can also reduce the need for long-term use of blood thinners. Repair of the tricuspid valve is traditionally performed as an open heart surgery. A long incision in the center of the chest. A surgeon can patch holes or tears in the valve, or separated, or reconnect the valve flaps. Sometimes, the surgeon removes or reshapes the tissue to help the tricuspid valve to close with more force. The strings of the supporting tissue of the valve may also be replaced. If tricuspid regurgitation is caused by Epstein's anomaly, the heart, surgeons can perform a repair of the valve called the cone procedure. During the cone procedure, the surgeon separates the valve flaps in the closure of the tricuspid valve to the underlying heart muscle. The flaps are then rotate and re-paste.
  • The replacement of the tricuspid valve.If the tricuspid valve cannot be repaired, it may be necessary surgery to replace the valve. The replacement of the tricuspid valve surgery may be performed open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. During the replacement of the tricuspid valve, the surgeon removes the damaged or diseased valve. The valve is replaced with a mechanical valve or a valve from a cow, pig or human heart tissue. A tissue valve that is called a biological valve. If you have a mechanical valve, you need to take blood thinners for the rest of your life to prevent the formation of blood clots. Biological tissue valves do not require lifelong blood thinners. But it can wear out over time and may need to be replaced. Together, you and your care team to discuss the risks and benefits of each type of valve to determine the best for you.
  • The valve-in-valve replacement. If you have a biological tissue of the tricuspid valve, which is no longer working, a catheter procedure can be performed instead of open-heart surgery to replace the valve. The doctor inserts a thin, hollow tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and the guide of the tricuspid valve. The replacement valve is passed through the catheter and into the existing biological valve.

Repair of the tricuspid valve. Surgeons recommend that the valve repair whenever possible. Save the heart of the valve. It can also reduce the need for long-term use of blood thinners.

Repair of the tricuspid valve is traditionally performed as an open heart surgery. A long incision in the center of the chest. A surgeon can patch holes or tears in the valve, or separated, or reconnect the valve flaps. Sometimes, the surgeon removes or reshapes the tissue to help the tricuspid valve to close with more force. The strings of the supporting tissue of the valve may also be replaced.

If tricuspid regurgitation is caused by Epstein's anomaly, the heart, surgeons can perform a repair of the valve called the cone procedure. During the cone procedure, the surgeon separates the valve flaps in the closure of the tricuspid valve to the underlying heart muscle. The flaps are then rotate and re-paste.

The replacement of the tricuspid valve. If the tricuspid valve cannot be repaired, it may be necessary surgery to replace the valve. The replacement of the tricuspid valve surgery may be performed open-heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery.

During the replacement of the tricuspid valve, the surgeon removes the damaged or diseased valve. The valve is replaced with a mechanical valve or a valve from a cow, pig or human heart tissue. A tissue valve that is called a biological valve.

If you have a mechanical valve, you need to take blood thinners for the rest of your life to prevent the formation of blood clots. Biological tissue valves do not require lifelong blood thinners. But it can wear out over time and may need to be replaced. Together, you and your care team to discuss the risks and benefits of each type of valve to determine the best for you.

After the tricuspid valve, the repair or the replacement of regular health examinations are required to ensure that the heart is functioning as it should.

Pregnancy

Careful and regular check-ups are necessary for those who have the disease of the tricuspid valve during pregnancy. If you have tricuspid regurgitation, can be said not to get pregnant to reduce the risk of complications, such as heart failure.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have tricuspid regurgitation, or any type of heart disease, your health care team can suggest making lifestyle changes. Try these steps:

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats, sugar and refined grains. Do not add salt to foods. If you have heart failure, your healthcare team may tell you to limit the intake of fluids and salt.
  • Do not smoke or use tobacco. If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Quitting smoking is the best way of reducing the risk. If you need help to stop smoking, talk with a health care professional.
  • Get regular exercise. Exercise can help to improve the health of the heart. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Talk with your health care team before starting a new exercise routine.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. Talk with your health care team to set realistic goals for weight.
  • Practice good sleep habits. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of heart disease. Adults should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your health care team.
  • Control of blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of serious health problems.
  • Get a cholesterol test. Ask your care team how often you need a cholesterol test.
  • Control diabetes. If you have diabetes, tight blood sugar control can help to keep your heart healthy.

If you had your tricuspid valve replaced, ask your health care team if you need to take antibiotics before certain types of dental work, such as gum surgery. Antibiotics are sometimes recommended for certain people with heart valves. Antibiotics prevent germs from entering in the lining of the heart, a condition called infective endocarditis.

Coping and support

If you have heart valve disease, such as tricuspid regurgitation, here are some ways to help you manage your condition and thrive.

  • Take medications as directed. Tell your health care team about all the medicines you take. Including those bought without a prescription.
  • Get support. Connect with friends and family, or a support group is a great way to reduce stress. You may find that talking about your concerns with other people in similar situations can help.
  • Manage stress. Find ways to help reduce emotional stress. Do more exercise, the practice of mindfulness, and connecting with others in support groups are some of the ways to reduce and manage stress. If you have anxiety or depression, talk with your health care team about the strategies to help.
  • Stay active. It is a good idea to stay physically active. Your health care team can give you recommendations about how much and what type of exercise is right for you.

Preparing for your appointment

If a healthcare provider thinks you might have regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, which are usually sent to a doctor trained in heart disease. This type of doctor is called a cardiologist. If you were born with a heart problem, you may see a type of heart doctor called congenital cardiologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare, and what to expect from your health care provider.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. For example, you may be asked not to eat or drink for a short period of time before a cholesterol test.
  • Write down your symptoms , including any that seem unrelated to the regurgitation of the tricuspid valve.
  • Write important personal information, including a family history of heart valve disease, and any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. Including those bought without a prescription. Also include the dose.
  • Take someone with you, if possible. Someone who goes with you can help you remember the information they give you.
  • Write questions for the health care team.

His time with the professional of the health is limited. Prepare a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. For the regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, some basic questions to ask your care team include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
  • I feel OK. Do I even need treatment?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • What are the options for the main treatment you are suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Is there any sports activity or dietary restrictions I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • If I need heart valve surgery, the surgeon would I recommend?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house?
  • Can you recommend any web site for more information about my condition?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team is likely to ask a series of questions. Be prepared to answer them you can save your time to go through any questions or concerns that you want to spend more time. Your care team may ask:

  • When did you first notice the symptoms?
  • Do you always have symptoms, or the symptoms come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms better?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?
Symptoms and treatment of regurgitation of the Tricuspid valve