Tricuspid valve disease refers to damage to the tricuspid heart valve. This valve is located between the atrium (upper chamber) and the ventricle (lower pumping chamber) of the right side of the heart. The tricuspid valve has three cusps, or flaps, that control the direction and flow of blood.
The two main types of tricuspid valve disease are:
Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of tricuspid valve disease world-wide. Other causes include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
In many cases, there are no symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor may be alerted to tricuspid valve disease by the following:
Tests may include:
If you have mild tricuspid valve disease, your condition will need to be monitored, but may not need immediate treatment. When symptoms become more severe, treatments may include:
Drugs may be prescribed to treat specific symptoms associated with tricuspid valve disease. These medications include:
If tricuspid valve disease is causing severe problems, surgery to repair or replace the defective valve may be required.
Tricuspid valve disease cannot be prevented. But, there are several things you can do to try to avoid some of the complications:
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/home/index_e.aspx
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/
References:
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 15th ed. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing; 2001.
Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 17th ed. Merck & Co; 1999.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Michael J. Fucci, DO
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.