Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a heart valve condition where the tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right ventricle, does not close properly. When this happens, blood can flow backward into the right atrium each time the heart beats. Mild cases may cause few symptoms, but more significant leakage can lead to fatigue, fluid buildup in the legs or abdomen, and shortness of breath. Awareness of TR is growing as better imaging and more treatment options become available.
The tricuspid valve can leak for several reasons. It may be damaged by infection, congenital issues, or trauma, but most cases are ‘functional’, meaning the valve itself is structurally normal and leaks because the right heart chambers have enlarged or the supporting structures are altered. Conditions such as left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or atrial fibrillation can lead to that enlargement and trigger TR. Doctors typically detect TR with physical exams, echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), and sometimes other imaging tests to assess severity and causes.
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Traditionally, treatment focused on managing symptoms and treating the underlying cause – controlling blood pressure, treating heart rhythm problems, or using diuretics to reduce fluid. For severe or symptomatic TR, surgical repair or replacement of the valve has been an option, though open-heart surgery can carry significant risks, especially in older or frail patients. Recently, less invasive catheter-based procedures have been developed to repair the tricuspid valve or reduce the leak without open surgery. These minimally invasive approaches can shorten recovery times and make treatment possible for people who were previously poor surgical candidates.
The growing set of treatment options is changing how clinicians approach TR. Advances in imaging allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis while transcatheter therapies – similar in concept to techniques used on other heart valves – are expanding choices for patients. Ongoing research is evaluating long-term outcomes, which patients benefit most, and how to combine medical and procedural therapies. As devices and techniques improve, more patients may receive effective treatment earlier, potentially preventing progressive right-heart dysfunction and improving quality of life. TR is a common and sometimes under-recognised heart valve problem that ranges from mild and manageable to severe and life-limiting. With better detection and a growing menu of treatments – from medicines to minimally invasive repairs – patients now have more options than in the past. Early diagnosis and a personalised plan developed with a heart team can help people with TR maintain function and feel better over the long term.
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By GlobalData