Why it's done

Tricuspid valve disease treatment depends on the severity of your condition, whether you're experiencing signs and symptoms, and if your condition is getting worse.

For some people with tricuspid valve disease without any symptoms, regular monitoring under a doctor's supervision may be all that's needed.

Types of tricuspid valve disease that may require treatment with tricuspid valve repair or replacement include:

• Tricuspid valve regurgitation, which occurs when the tricuspid valve doesn't close properly and allows blood to flow back into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts rather than in the normal, one-way direction from the atrium to the ventricle.
• Tricuspid valve stenosis causes the tricuspid valve to become narrowed or obstructed, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. Tricuspid valve stenosis may also be accompanied by tricuspid regurgitation or backflow.
• Tricuspid atresia is a type of congenital heart disease that occurs when a baby is born without a tricuspid valve or opening to allow blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. As a result, the right ventricle is not fully developed and surgery is often needed to increase blood flow to the lungs.

Tricuspid valve repair or replacement?

Most tricuspid valve conditions are mechanical problems that cannot be adequately treated with medication alone and will eventually require surgery to reduce symptoms and the risk of complications, such as heart failure.

The decision to repair or replace a damaged tricuspid valve depends on many things, including:

• The severity of your tricuspid valve disease
• Your age and overall health
• Whether you need heart surgery to correct another heart problem in addition to tricuspid valve disease — such as mitral or aortic valve repair or replacement or coronary artery bypass surgery — so both conditions can be treated at once

In general, heart valve repair is usually the first choice because it's associated with a lower risk of infection. Valve repair preserves and improves heart function, and it may reduce the potential need for long-term use of blood-thinning medications.

But not all valves can be repaired. Some repaired valves may eventually require replacement. In addition, heart valve repair surgery is often harder to perform successfully than valve replacement surgery.

Your best option will depend on your individual situation, as well as the expertise and experience of your health care team.