Pathology:
Tricuspid Valve is located between Upper Chamber (Right Atrium) and Lower Chamber (Right Ventricle). Being a one way valve, it regulates flow of blood in one direction, that is from Right Atrium to Right Ventricle. However, due to excessive pressure in Right Ventricle or in rare cases, due to disease process affecting Tricuspid Valve (Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease), the valve malfunctions letting blood flow back into Right Atrium (Tricuspid Regurgitation).
Complications:
The Tricuspid Valve has 3 leaflets which normally open & close to allow one way passage of blood from Right Atrium to Right Ventricle. In cases of severe Mitral Stenosis, where treatment has been delayed, resulting in back pressure over the lungs, and eventually the Right Ventricle, causes Tricuspid Valve to leak blood back into the Right Atrium. In rare cases, Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease process affects Tricuspid Valve causing similar leak. In both cases, severe Tricuspid Regurgitation presents with Breathlessness, abnormal build-up of fluid in abdomen (Ascites) and swelling of both legs (Pedal Oedema).
Treatment:
The usual investigation needed to diagnose and plan treatment for Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation is 2D Echo. In patients above 40 years of age, Coronary Angiography is required to identify Coronary Artery Blockages. This condition is corrected by procedure called “Tricuspid Valve Repair / Annuloplasty (TV Repair/TVA)”. The defective Tricuspid Valve is repaired by insertion of cloth covered metal ring to ensure proper closure of Leaflets (Ring Annuloplasty).
Salient Features of Tricuspid Valve Repair Surgery
- Patients display significant symptomatic improvement after Tricuspid Valve Repair Surgery.
- In some cases, the Aortic & Mitral Valves are damaged along with severe Tricuspid Regurgitation. In such cases, Tricuspid Valve Repair/ Annuloplasty (TV Repair/TVA) Surgery can be performed along with Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) & Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) Surgeries simultaneously.
