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TRICUSPID VALVE
The tricuspid valve has three main cusps and is situated
between the right atrium from the right ventricle. The right
atrium receives blood returning from the body and pushes the
blood into the right ventricle. As the right and left
ventricles relax during the diastolic phase of the heartbeat,
the tricuspid valve opens, allowing blood to enter the
ventricle. During the systolic phase of the heartbeat, both
blood-filled ventricles contract, pumping out their contents,
while the tricuspid and mitral valves close to prevent any
backflow.
TRICUSPID
REGURGITATION
Tricuspid regurgitation is a condition in which the tricuspid
valve becomes leaky, allowing blood to flow backward from the
right ventricle into the right atrium. It can occur by itself
or in combination with a disease process that elevates right
ventricular pressure.
When tricuspid regurgitation occurs by itself, perhaps due
to subacute bacterial endocarditis (a bacterial infection of
the valves of the heart), regurgitation does not pose much of
a problem. But, when tricuspid regurgitation occurs in union
with mitral stenosis or lung disease, fatigue, abdominal
discomfort, nausea, and swelling of the legs and feet result.
If surgery is scheduled to correct another cardiac problem,
the tricuspid valve should be evaluated for surgical repair at
that time. Otherwise, medical treatment includes a low-salt
diet, diuretics, and digoxin (digitalis).
TRICUSPID STENOSIS
Tricuspid stenosis is a condition in which the tricuspid
valve is too tight. Symptoms of tricuspid stenosis, closely,
parallel those of tricuspid regurgitation, i.e., nausea,
fatigue, abdominal discomfort and swelling of the legs and
feet. Patients are, frequently, advised to follow a low sodium
diet and to use diuretics; if atrial fibrillation develops,
digitalis may be prescribed. Balloon valvuloplasty or valve
replacement is, usually, recommended if medical treatment
proves ineffective. Because the risk of thrombus is higher in
the tricuspid position than in the mitral, bioprosthetic
valves appear better than mechanical, despite their
limitations.
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