Description

The disease of the tricuspid valve is a type of heart valve disease, also called heart valve disease. The valve between the two chambers of the heart, called the right atrium and right ventricle, does not work as it should. The heart must work harder to pump blood to the lungs and to the rest of the body.

The disease of the tricuspid valve is often the case with other heart valve diseases.

There are different types of disease of the tricuspid valve. Symptoms and treatment depend on the specific valve condition. The treatment may include regular health checkups, medications, or a procedure or a surgery to repair or replace the valve.

Types of

There are several types of disease of the tricuspid valve, including:

  • Regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. The tricuspid valve does not close properly. Blood leaks backwards in the upper right part of the heart of the camera.
  • Tricuspid valve stenosis. The valve will close. It is difficult for the blood to move between the right chambers of the heart.
  • Tricuspid atresia. This condition is present at birth. That means that it is a congenital heart condition, also called a congenital defect of the heart. The tricuspid valve is not formed. A solid sheet of tissue that blocks the flow of blood between the right chambers of the heart.
  • Epstein's anomaly. This is a rare disease of the heart present at birth. The tricuspid valve is in the wrong position and the function of the valve flaps are not correctly formed. Blood can leak backward through the valve.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease of the tricuspid valve that depend on each state of the valves and how severe it is.

Tricuspid stenosis symptoms are often mild. Symptoms may include:

  • A fast, pounding heartbeat.
  • Pounding in your neck.
  • Fatigue.

People with tricuspid regurgitation may not have any symptoms. But the condition can cause vague symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and swelling in the legs or abdomen. Sometimes there is a throbbing in the veins of the neck.

Tricuspid atresia and Ebstein anomaly symptoms are often seen in the birth. They may include:

  • The blue or the gray skin, and lips. Depending on the color of the skin, these changes may be easier or harder to see.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • The slow growth and poor weight gain.
  • Tire easily, especially during meals.

Some types of disease of the tricuspid valve can cause symptoms of right heart failure. Right-sided heart failure symptoms include:

  • Fatigue and weakness.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
  • The swelling of the area of the abdomen, a condition called ascites.
  • Sudden weight gain from fluid buildup.

When to see a doctor

If you have changes in your heartbeat or unexplained weakness or fatigue, make an appointment for a health checkup. You may be sent to a physician skilled in diseases of the heart, called a cardiologist.

Causes

Causes of the disease of the tricuspid valve depend on the specific condition.

To understand the causes of heart valve disease, may be useful to know how the heart works.

Four valves in the heart keep blood flowing in the right direction. These valves are:

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

Each valve has flaps called leaflets or cusps. The flaps open and close once during each heartbeat. If a valve flap does not open or close properly, unless it moves the blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Some people are born with the disease of the tricuspid valve. In others, it happens later in life. Some of the causes of the disease of the tricuspid valve later in life are:

  • The infection of the heart lining and valves of the heart, called infective endocarditis.
  • A complication of strep throat is not treated, the so-called rheumatic fever.
  • A connective tissue disorder called Marfan syndrome.
  • The carcinoid syndrome, caused by a rare tumor that releases certain substances.
  • Heart tumors or cancer that has spread to the right side of the heart.
  • Lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
  • The scars of radiation to the chest or the placement of a pacemaker.
  • An irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).
  • The high pressures in the lungs, called pulmonary hypertension.

Risk factors

The risk factors for the disease of the tricuspid valve depend on the specific condition.

Anything that causes swelling or irritation on the right side of the heart or of the changes in the structure of the valve can increase the risk of disease of the tricuspid valve.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the disease of the tricuspid valve, a health care professional examines and listen to your heart and lungs. Tests are done to check the health of the heart. The disease of the tricuspid valve can be found when tests are done for another reason.

Some types of disease of the tricuspid valve can be difficult to diagnose. You may be sent to a physician skilled in diseases of the heart, called a cardiologist.

Tests

The tests to diagnose the disease of the tricuspid valve may include:

  • X-ray of the chest. This test shows the condition of the heart and the lungs. You can know whether the heart is larger than usual.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test shows how the heart beats. Adhesive patches with sensors attached to the chest and sometimes the legs. The cables connect the patches to a computer, that prints or displays the results.
  • The echocardiogram. Sound waves create images of the beating heart. This test shows how blood moves through the heart and the heart valves. It can show if the tricuspid valve is thickened, or changed.
  • On the right side of the heart catheterization. This test checks the pressure and flow of blood in the right side of the heart. The changes in the right side of the heart can lead to disease of the tricuspid valve. A doctor inserts a flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin or the neck. The doctor guide the tube to the heart. The catheter has special sensors to take measurements.
  • HeartMRI, also called cardiacMRI. This test may be done if an echocardiogram does not give enough information about the tricuspid valve. A heart of magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart.

Assay

After the test confirms the diagnosis of the disease of the tricuspid valve, 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. There is no heart valve symptoms, but the disease of the valve is severe.
  • Stage D: Symptomatic severe. Heart valve disease is severe and is causing the symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment of the disease of the tricuspid valve depends on the state of the valves and how severe it is.

Treatment may include:

  • Regular medical checkups.
  • Drugs.
  • Surgery to repair or replace the valve.

If the symptoms of the disease of the tricuspid valve does not bother you, you may only need regular echocardiograms to see how the valve is working.

Drugs

You can use a drug for the treatment of:

  • The underlying cause of the disease of the tricuspid valve.
  • Complications such as heart failure.

For example, diuretics, also called water pills, may be administered to help remove fluid from the body.

If an infection causes the disease of the tricuspid valve, antibiotics are usually given.

If a lung condition, causes the disease of the tricuspid valve, oxygen therapy can help to reduce symptoms.

Surgeries or other procedures

If you have a serious disease of the tricuspid valve, you can perform a surgery to repair or replace the valve.

Balloon valvotomy

This treatment can be done if you have tricuspid stenosis. A doctor puts a thin tube with a balloon on the end into a blood vessel and the guide for the heart. Once in place, the balloon is inflated. This causes the valve to open wider, improving the flow of blood. The catheter and balloon are removed.

Tricuspid valve repair and replacement

Tricuspid valve repair and replacement of the tricuspid valve are the types of heart surgery. They can help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms.

The type of tricuspid valve surgery needed depends on:

  • Symptoms.
  • How serious disease of the tricuspid valve is also called the stage.
  • The age and general state of health.
  • If the disease is getting worse.
  • If surgery is needed to correct another of the valve or of the condition of the heart.

The surgeons performing the repair of the tricuspid valve, when possible. Repair saved the valve of the heart and improves how the heart works. Repair of the tricuspid valve is usually done with open-heart surgery. Sometimes, a tricuspid valve can be repaired with minimally invasive heart surgery or a procedure using thin tubes called catheters and a clip.

If the tricuspid valve can not be fixed, the surgeon removes the damaged or diseased valve. The valve is most often replaced with a valve from a cow, pig or human heart tissue. A tissue valve that is called a biological valve. Rarely, a mechanical valve is used.

If you have a biological tissue of the tricuspid valve, which is no longer working, a doctor may use a catheter-based treatment instead of open-heart surgery to replace the valve. A catheter is a thin, flexible tube. The doctor places the tube into a blood vessel and the guide of the tricuspid valve. The replacement valve is passed through the tube and to the existing biological valve.

If the disease of the tricuspid valve is due to a heart condition present from birth, a number of other treatments or surgeries may be necessary.

Talk with your health care team about all of your treatment options. Together you can decide what treatment is best for you.

Preparing for your appointment

If a healthcare provider thinks you might have the disease 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 disease, you may see a heart doctor called congenital cardiologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance. For example, you may be asked not to eat or drink for a short period of time before any blood or imaging tests.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the disease 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 down questions to ask the health care team.

For the disease of the tricuspid valve, some basic questions to ask your care team are:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need? How do I prepare for these tests?
  • I feel OK. I need treatment?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • What are the options for the treatment that you are suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Do I have to change my diet or activities?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • If I need heart valve surgery, the surgeon would I recommend?
  • Is there any printed information that I can bring to my house?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team will probably ask a lot 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 was the first you have symptoms?
  • Do you always have symptoms, or the symptoms come and go?
  • How bad 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 the disease of the Tricuspid valve