Video - Tricuspid valve disease

Tricuspid valve disease or tricuspid insufficiency is a condition that affects the tricuspid valve, which is one of the four heart valves that help regulate blood flow through the heart. In tricuspid insufficiency, the tricuspid valve fails to close properly during systole, allowing the blood to flow backward into the right atrium. Tricuspid insufficiency most often results from rheumatic heart disease, which causes damage to the valve.

Signs and symptoms of tricuspid insufficiency are generally those of right-sided heart failure, such as ascites and peripheral edema. Diagnosis of tricuspid valve disease typically involves a physical exam, echocardiogram, and other imaging tests that can evaluate the structure and function of the valve. Treatment may involve medications to manage symptoms, as well as surgery to repair or replace the tricuspid valve in severe cases.