Tricuspid regurgitation is one of the heart diseases in which the tricuspid valve function is disturbed, resulting in a reverse flow of blood from the right ventricle to the atrium.
Causes of tricuspid regurgitation
Most often, this disorder occurs with the expansion of the right ventricle, which, in turn, provokes a valve failure. Also tricuspid regurgitation can be triggered by pulmonary hypertension, heart failure , pulmonary artery obstruction. Less often, it appears against the background of rheumatic tissue damage, carcinoid syndrome, septic endocarditis. In addition, the disease can develop with prolonged use of certain medications (Ergotamine, Fenfluramina, Phentermine).
Prolonged severe tricuspid regurgitation can lead to atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Degrees of tricuspid regurgitation
In medicine, there are four degrees of the disease:
- Tricuspid regurgitation of the 1st degree. Re-injection of blood is barely detectable. There are no clinical manifestations of the disease.
- Tricuspid regurgitation of the 2nd degree. Rejection of blood is determined within 2 centimeters from the valve walls. Clinical symptoms are either absent or extremely mild. There may be a slight ripple of the cervical veins.
- Tricuspid regurgitation of the third degree. There is a drop in blood more than 2 centimeters from the tricuspid valve. In addition to pulsation of the veins, shortness of breath , weakness, irregularities in the rhythm of the heartbeat can be observed.
- Tricuspid regurgitation of the 4th degree. A strong cast of blood into the atrium. A pronounced clinical picture: swelling and lowering of the temperature of the lower limbs, a perceptible ripple in the chest, severe heart rhythm disturbances, increased liver size, and other symptoms of heart failure.
Treatment of tricuspid regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation of the 1st degree by doctors is considered as a variant of the norm, which does not require specific treatment. If it is provoked by some disease, then it is he who is being treated.
At the second degree of the disease, therapy is also limited to general and preventive measures, and sometimes - by taking medications that improve the performance and relax the smooth muscle of the heart muscle.
The third and fourth degree combine conservative and surgical methods of influence. In addition to drug therapy, the plastic of valve flaps or its prosthetics can be shown.