Balloon Tricuspid Valvuloplasty

Surgery or a less invasive treatment called balloon valvuloplasty or valvotomy can be used to repair tricuspid valves that can't open fully owing to stenosis. However, because tricuspid stenosis is infrequent, these operations are rarely used.

A percutaneous transcatheter tricuspid balloon valvuloplasty is less favourable to a tricuspid valve replacement due to a lack of data. A tricuspid balloon valvuloplasty, on the other hand, can be a beneficial therapy option in some cases, particularly in individuals who are regarded to be at a greater surgical risk. In general, adhesions, severe bleeding, and other variables make repeat surgery challenging in an adult with congenital heart disease who has had previous cardiac procedures. In high-risk individuals, percutaneous transcatheter tricuspid balloon valvuloplasty may be a viable alternative to surgical tricuspid valve replacement. This technique will be appropriate for certain adults with congenital cardiac disease.

Disease Overview

Tricuspid valve stenosis, also called tricuspid stenosis, is a narrowing of the tricuspid valve of the heart. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium (upper chamber of the heart) and the right ventricle (lower chamber of the heart), and it prevents blood flow from the right ventricle from returning into the right atrium.

Because the valve leaflets are rigid and do not open widely enough, blood flow forward is restricted. An elevated pressure gradient across the valve, detected by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization, may be referred to by your doctor.

Disease Signs and Symptoms

Tricuspid valve disease can be tolerated without symptoms for a long period.

Among the signs and symptoms are:

• Fluttering discomfort in the neck (because to gigantic a waves in the jugular pulse), weariness and chilly skin (due to insufficient cardiac output), and right upper quadrant stomach discomfort
• Irregular heart rhythm is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly (atrial fibrillation)
• Easily exhausted (fatigue)

Heart failure symptoms get more severe as the condition progresses (right abdominal pain, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or abdomen, cold skin)

Disease Causes

Rheumatic fever, which develops from untreated strep throat, is the most prevalent cause of tricuspid valve stenosis. Although uncommon, tricuspid valve stenosis can arise as a congenital cardiac abnormality, a tumour, or a connective tissue condition during foetal development.

Diagnosis 

A physical examination may be used to identify tricuspid valve disease. A murmur is frequently heard by the doctor (abnormal blood flow through the valve). An uneven pulse and fluttering or abnormal pulsation in your neck are two more indicators your doctor may notice (jugular vein).

The following tests may be performed to identify valve disease:

• Electrocardiography (ECG) is a test that measures (ECG)
• X-ray of the chest
• Echocardiography
• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a kind of echocardiography that uses sound waves
• Catheterization of the Heart (cardiac cath or angiogram)
• Scans for radionuclides
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging that (MRI)
  
  Disease Treatment:

Your doctor will want to monitor the progress of your valve disease with regular appointments. They may be spaced once a year or more often, if your doctor feels you need to be followed more closely. Your appointment will include a medical exam. Diagnostic studies may be repeated at regular intervals.

Your physician may prescribe medications to treat your symptoms. These medications may include drugs to treat heart failure or medications to control irregular heart rhythms.

However, Tricuspid stenosis remains a surgical disease and requires either commissurotomy or replacement of the valve if right heart failure or low cardiac output has resulted. Surgery is rarely performed solely on the tricuspid valve; it is usually performed in combination with mitral and/or aortic valve disease repair.

Surgery or a less invasive treatment called balloon valvuloplasty or valvotomy can be used to repair tricuspid valves that can't open fully owing to stenosis. However, because tricuspid stenosis is infrequent, these operations are rarely used.