Tricuspid Regurgitation Treatments & Tests

A leakage of blood backward through the heart

This condition, also known as tricuspid insufficiency, is a heart valve disease that occurs when the heart’s tricuspid valve doesn’t close properly. This leads to blood flowing backward through the heart.

The doctors in our structural heart and valvular disease program have vast expertise in treating tricuspid regurgitation, including the latest minimally invasive techniques. Without proper treatment, this condition can lead to heart failure or a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath during exercise, or swelling in the belly or legs. You may not notice any symptoms unless the condition is severe.

Tricuspid regurgitation may be a congenital heart condition, meaning it’s present from birth, or it can develop later in life. Some of the many reasons this condition may develop include:

Ebstein’s anomaly
Marfan syndrome
Radiation to the chest
Rheumatic fever, a complication of untreated strep throat
Serious injury to the chest

Valvular Regurgitation

A malformed or damaged valve may not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. This condition is called valvular regurgitation or valvular insufficiency.

Tests

Your doctor will likely order an echocardiogram to see the structure of your heart and how blood flows through it. Additional tests can give information about how severe the condition is and whether you have a problem with your heart’s rhythm.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.

Chest X-ray

Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

Transesophageal echocardiogram allows us to take very detailed images of your heart structure from a probe in your esophagus.

Treatments

If your condition isn’t severe, you may only need regular checkups so your doctor can monitor your heart health. In more serious cases, medications or more advanced options may be needed, including tricuspid valve surgery.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement is a non-surgical procedure to replace a damaged tricuspid valve.

Tricuspid Valve Surgery

Tricuspid valve surgery includes repair or replacement of a damaged valve using traditional or minimally invasive methods.

Related services

Cardiology

Emergency Medicine

Heart Surgery

Interventional Cardiology

Pharmacy

Primary Care

Structural Heart & Valve Disease

Tricuspid Valve Surgery

Insurance

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.

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