Tricuspid valve repair and tricuspid valve replacement are
procedures that treat diseases affecting the tricuspid valve.
The tricuspid valve is one of four valves that regulate blood
flow through the heart. These valves keep blood flowing in the right direction
through the heart.
The tricuspid valve separates one of the heart's two upper and
lower chambers (atria and ventricles). With each heartbeat, the atria fill with
blood from the body and lungs, and the ventricles contract to pump blood to the
lungs and the rest of the body.
As the atria fill to capacity, the tricuspid valve opens to
allow blood to flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle. As the
ventricles contract, the tricuspid valve shuts tightly to prevent blood from
flowing back into the right atrium.
When the tricuspid valve isn't working properly, it can
interfere with the proper direction of blood flow and force the heart to work
harder to supply the necessary blood to the lungs and the rest of your body.
Tricuspid valve disease is often caused by a heart defect
present at birth (congenital heart disease) and may require immediate medical
attention in infants.
For others, tricuspid valve disease may not cause any signs or
symptoms for many years, if at all. Some people may experience pulsations in
the neck, abdominal or chest pain, shortness of breath with activity, fatigue,
irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.
Tricuspid valve repair or tricuspid valve replacement can treat
tricuspid valve disease and help restore normal blood flow, reduce symptoms,
improve survival in some people and help preserve the function of your heart
muscle.