What is Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation?
What is Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation?Tricuspid valve regurgitation, also called tricuspid regurgitation, occurs when the tricuspid valve in the heart does not close completely. The tricuspid valve controls blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle chambers of the heart. Tricuspid regurgitation allows blood to flow backward into the atrium, meaning the heart must work harder to pump blood.
Stages of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation
StagesThere are several levels of severity for tricuspid valve regurgitation:
- Asymptomatic tricuspid regurgitation
- Progressive tricuspid regurgitation
- Asymptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation
- Symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation
Types of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation
TypesTypes of tricuspid regurgitation are differentiated by what causes the tricuspid valve to malfunction and how much blood leaks back into the atrium.
- Trace tricuspid valve regurgitation - Only a very small amount of blood is leaks back into the atrium
- Organic/Primary tricuspid valve regurgitation - This type of tricuspid regurgitation isn’t caused by any other disease or condition, but happens when the valve itself is diseased or altered
- Functional/secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation – Caused by another condition or disease, this type of tricuspid valve regurgitation is the most common
Signs & Symptoms of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation
SymptomsTricuspid valve regurgitation often doesn’t cause symptoms unless the condition is severe, and even then, the symptoms can be easy to overlook. Some signs of tricuspid regurgitation include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Pulsing in the neck
What Causes Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation?
CausesThe most common factor in the development of tricuspid valve regurgitation is an enlarged right ventricle (functional TR). This can happen without a clear cause, but several risk factors can increase your chances of developing tricuspid regurgitation. These include:
- Congenital heart defects, such as Ebstein anomaly
- Infection, including rheumatic fever and endocarditis
- Injury or physical trauma to the chest, such as damage from a car crash or accidental damage sustained during the placement of a pacemaker
- Marfan syndrome, a genetic disease affecting connective tissues of the body
- Radiation therapy
- Carcinoid Syndrome, a rare disease that causes tumors to develop in the liver
- Lung disease
- Liver disease
Complications
ComplicationsUntreated tricuspid valve regurgitation can lead to additional conditions, including:
- Heart failure: tricuspid regurgitation can weaken the right ventricle over time, which can result in heart failure when it is no longer able to pump blood efficiently
- Atrial fibrillation (A-fib): a heart rhythm disorder, a-fib is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat caused by poor blood flow
- Liver congestion
- Severe lower extremity edema (fluid overload)
- Abdominal distention and discomfort
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Care
NewYork-Presbyterian’s cardiac care team is trained to identify the risk factors and symptoms of tricuspid valve regurgitation, along with all other valvular heart disease conditions. Our experts can provide professional assessments of risk and take action at the earliest sign of a heart valve problem, allowing you to take control of your healthcare journey.