What is tricuspid valve regurgitation?
Tricuspid valve regurgitation, also known as tricuspid regurgitation, occurs when the tricuspid valve of the human heart does not seal entirely shut and permits blood to stream backward. Over some time, this can lead to a change in the shape or structure of the human heart. Moreover, it can cause various other heart issues and permanent heart damage.
What is pulmonic valve regurgitation?
Pulmonic regurgitation is an illness where the blood is leaked back into the heart of an individual after being pumped out of the lungs. This condition is common and includes tiny leaks, which do not show indications and aren’t harmful. Severe and moderate cases can damage the individual’s heart over the period, leading to life-threatening issues.
When is repair or replacement of the pulmonary or tricuspid valve available?
Repair and replacement are done to fix the injured valve, which is not treated with medicine alone.
1. Tricuspid valve replacement
- After a deep examination of the human heart, the healthcare provider may suggest the patient valve replacement surgery if the tricuspid valve is severely injured. During the replacement surgery, the healthcare will extract the injured valve and replace it with the artificial one. The artificial one can be either created by biological tissues or mechanical.
2. The mechanical valve
- is carbon or metal wrapped in polyester fabric surrounding the ring. The mechanical valves are more durable than the biological tissue valve, but they require a lifelong blood thinning treatment to lower the risk of blood strokes and clotting.
3. The biological valve
- these tissues can be formed from animal tissues like cows or pigs. The biological valve only remains for roughly ten to fifteen years; however, it does not need lifelong blood-thinning treatment.
4. Tricuspid valve repair
- The healthcare provider will put the patient under anesthesia and perform repairs that depend on the kind of tricuspid valve illness and its causes. The tricuspid valve repair is an open-heart process. It can be done by making a small incision on the side of the chest. The surgeon might reshape or repair fused valve leaflets.
After the procedure of tricuspid valve repair or replacement surgery:
After the surgery is conducted, the healthcare provider will put the patient under observation for several days. The stay in the hospital will depend upon the patient’s medical condition and the specific kind of tricuspid valve surgery.
During the stay in the hospital, the patient may have the following:
- Tubes drain urine from the patient’s bladder.
- An IV to receive medication and fluids.
- Pipes drain blood and fluid from the patient’s chest and heart.
The healthcare provider will:
- Aid to manage discomfort after surgery.
- Check for infection at the patient’s incision sites.
- Ask the patient to take longer and longer walks to increase the patient’s activity.
- Frequently check the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.
- Show how to do breathing exercises as the patient recovers.
The healthcare provider’s team will instruct the patient to follow up after tricuspid valve repair or replacement surgery. Following are the instructions:
- Side effects of the surgery.
- How to manage pain.
- Prescribed medications.
- How to manage incisions.
- Symptoms and the warning symptoms of infection.
What are the risk factors of tricuspid valve repair or replacement surgery?
The tricuspid valve repair and replacement of tricuspid valve depend upon the kind of procedure and the overall expertise of the surgeons. Every surgery includes some risks. The risks involved in tricuspid valve repair and replacement surgery are the following:
- Blood clots.
- Stroke.
- Bleeding.
- Failure of the replacement valve.
- Infection around the new heart valve or ring. To prevent infection, the healthcare provider should prescribe the patient antibiotics before the procedure that could permit bacteria to enter the anatomy.
- (Arrhythmias) abnormal heart rhythms.
- Death.
How to prepare for tricuspid valve repair or replacement?
Before the replacement, the healthcare provider will conduct an imaging test like an echocardiogram to gain information related to the condition of the patient’s heart.
Medication and food
- Before the surgery, discussing the process and possible risks with the healthcare provider is vital. The patient must notify the healthcare provider about any medication they are following. The healthcare provider must inform the patient when to stop drinking and eating before surgery.
Personal items and clothing
At the time of the surgery, the healthcare provider may ask the patient to bring several items to the hospital:
- A list of the patient’s medications.
- A copy of the patient’s advance directive or living will.
- Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Hearing aids, eyeglasses, or dentures.
- Personal items like shaving equipment, comb, brush, and toothbrush.
What to avoid during the surgery?
- Jewelry
- Contact lenses.
- Nail polish.
- Eyeglasses.
- Dentures.
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tricuspid-valve-repair-tricuspid-valve-replacement/about/pac-20385087#:~:text=Tricuspid%20valve%20repair%20or%20replacement,with%20a%20catheter%2Dbased%20procedure. Retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/tricuspid-valve-replacement-and-repair retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21627-tricuspid-valve-regurgitation retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23280-pulmonic-regurgitation retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pulmonary-valve-repair-pulmonary-valve-replacement/about/pac-20385090 retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21070730/ retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
- https://www.brighamandwomens.org/heart-and-vascular-center/procedures/tricuspid-and-pulmonic-valve-repair-and-replacement retrieved on 24 Oct. 22
