The tricuspid valve stops blood returning from the right ventricle to the right atrium. Some degree of leak (regurgitation) is common and does not usually require treatment, but if severe then surgery may be required (often at the same time as surgery on the other valves). Narrowing (stenosis) of the tricuspid valve is rare.
In many cases there may be no symptoms, but the most common symptoms if present are swelling of the lower limbs and abdomen, tiredness and breathlessness.
Tricuspid regurgitation is usually caused by the enlargement of the right side of the heart which can occur from a variety of causes and the treatment is usually medical treatment of the problem causing right heart enlargement. In some cases the tricuspid valve itself may be degenerative and leaky but this is usually in the setting of the same problem in the mitral valve (the equivalent valve on the left side of the heart). Occasionally the valve can be affected by infection or damage from a procedure. Tricuspid stenosis is rare but can occur as part of some rare cancers.
Tricuspid valve disease is usually diagnosed based on echocardiography (ultrasound) which indicates how severe the leakiness is and what the underlying cause is. A cardiac MRI scan is often useful to assess the size and shape of the right ventricle in more detail. If the right ventricle is dilated and no cardiac cause is identified then assessment of the lungs may be required.
In many cases tricuspid valve disease is asymptomatic or mild and does not require treatment. When the valve has significant leak and a patient needs cardiac surgery for another reason it is often possible to tackle the tricuspid valve at the same time, but it is rare for patients to undergo surgery for tricuspid valve problems alone.
Tricuspid valve disease can be complex and requires thorough work-up and assessment. Our expert Consultant Cardiologists are skilled in valvular assessment and are available for consultation on any day of the week and weekends as well.
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