Explanation Of Tricuspid Regurgitation

Tricuspid regurgitation or tricuspid valve regurgitation occurs when the tricuspid valve, the valve present between the two right chambers of the heart, fails to shut tight enough and does not close properly in the backflow of blood. It gets severe if there is more backflow of blood. This condition, over some time, can change the structure of the heart and give rise to tricuspid regurgitation symptoms.

But, before moving further, let us briefly discuss the structure of the heart concerning its valves. Our heart consists of 4 chambers, the two upper chambers or atria receive blood, and the two lower chambers or ventricles pump blood. There are four valves or flaps present in the heart to monitor the flow of blood and keep it going in the correct direction, considering our heart deals with both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. These four valves are the Aortic valve, Mitral valve, Pulmonary Valve and Tricuspid Valve. The job of this tricuspid valve is to allow the blood which has entered the right atrium from the body into the right ventricle, from where it is pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. 

Now that we have a brief understanding of the tricuspid valve and its functions, let us move to tricuspid regurgitation symptoms.

Tricuspid Regurgitation Symptoms

Often, tricuspid valve regurgitation does not cause any symptoms unless the condition becomes severe. Tricuspid regurgitation symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms, heart murmurs, swelling in the neck, belly areas or leg, pulsing in the neck, Enlarged liver etc. Tricuspid valve symptoms occur because the heart is not able to pump sufficient blood to allow the body to receive the required oxygen. 

Let Us Now Understand The Causes Of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation.

Increase in size of the right ventricle due to conditions like abnormally high BP in arteries of the lungs due to any lung abnormalities, poor squeezing on the left side of the heart, Problem with closing or opening of any other heart valves, any infections, rheumatic fever, infection of the tricuspid valve etc. Radiation therapy, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Marfan’s syndrome are some of the less common causes of tricuspid valve regurgitation. Thus, tricuspid regurgitation could be organic, not caused by any other disease or condition or functional which is because of another disease or condition. 

Stages of tricuspid regurgitation 

The AHA or American Heart Association has given the following stages of tricuspid regurgitation.

• Stage A: At the risk of TR or tricuspid regurgitation
• Stage B: Progressive Tricuspid regurgitation
• Stage C: Asymptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation
• Stage D: Symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation.

These stages of tricuspid regurgitation are based on valve hemodynamics, valve anatomy, symptoms, associated cardiac findings etc.

Diagnosis Of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

Various tests can help diagnose tricuspid regurgitation, which could exist either independently or with other conditions. These tests include:

• Physical examination- auscultation, palpation of neck, abdomen, liver etc
• Electrocardiogram or ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac catheterisation

Tricuspid Regurgitation Treatment 

Depending on its severity and its cause, tricuspid valve regurgitation could be treated. 

1. Mild tricuspid regurgitation treatment includes medications that can control the symptoms associated with tricuspid regurgitation, like blood pressure or excessive swelling in your abdomen and neck. 
2. Another option is valve repair which could be a catheter-based procedure or surgically, and valve replacement which could also be carried out surgically or catheter-based treatment. 
3. Though recovery from the surgical treatment could take up to a few days, recovery time from catheter-based treatment is short, and patients could be discharged the next day. 

Conclusion

To conclude, we talked about what tricuspid regurgitation or tricuspid valve regurgitation is. We also talked about the function of the tricuspid valve. We then mentioned the cause of tricuspid valve regurgitation, which could be an increase in the size of the heart, any associated infections etc., and these causes could be functional or organic. We also talked about stages of tricuspid regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation treatment along with its diagnostic procedures.