Tricuspid valve disease

• What is Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• Statistics on Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• Risk Factors for Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• Progression of Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• Symptoms of Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• Clinical Examination of Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• How is Tricuspid Valvular Disease Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Tricuspid Valvular Disease
• How is Tricuspid Valvular Disease Treated?
• Tricuspid Valvular Disease References

What is Tricuspid Valvular Disease

Tricuspid Valvular Disease is a disease of the heart, namely the tricuspid valve between the right ventricle and right atrium.

Statistics on Tricuspid Valvular Disease

These valvular lesions are rare, particularly in isolation.

Risk Factors for Tricuspid Valvular Disease

Tricuspid stenosis (TS) is usually due to rheumatic fever and is usually seen in association with left heart valve disease. TS is also sometimes associated with carcinoid syndrome.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is usually secondary to right ventricular dilatation as in pulmonary vascular disease. Primary TR is less common and usually caused by rheumatic heart disease or infective endocarditis (heart valve infection).

Progression of Tricuspid Valvular Disease

TS: Causes a reduction in cardiac output that is compensated for by right atrial hypertrophy. Eventually, the back pressure causes a syndrome of right heart failure.

TR: causes a volume over load of the right heart with dilatation of the right atrium. Right heart failure ensues. Atrial arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation are common due to the dilatation of the right atrium.

How is Tricuspid Valvular Disease Diagnosed?

Chest x-ray may show an atrial bulge in either condition.

An ECG may show evidence of right atrial hypertrophy with tall peaked p-waves.

Prognosis of Tricuspid Valvular Disease

The prognosis of tricuspid valve disorders is good. Right heart failure should be treated with standard measures. Surgical replacement of the valves may be necessary to improve symptoms and prevent irreversible cardiac changes that arise which long term cardiac dysfunction.

How is Tricuspid Valvular Disease Treated?

Medical treatment of complications such as right heart failure (diuretics, salt restrictions). Surgical options such as valve replacements are sometimes necessary for more severe disease.

Tricuspid Valvular Disease References

1. Hurst’s The Heart 8th Edition, McGRAW-HILL 1994.
2. Kumar and Clark Clinical Medicine 4th Edition, W.B SAUNDERS 1998.