Tricuspid Regurgitation

A leakage of blood backward through the heart

Tricuspid regurgitation, 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).

Tricuspid regurgitation 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

Tests

Your doctor likely will 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.

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.