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Cardiolucent

Condition

Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

Right-sided valve leakage tracked with echocardiography and modern treatment options.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation is one form of valvular heart disease in which the tricuspid valve, which separates the right atrium and right ventricle, fails to close completely and allows blood to leak backward with each heartbeat. Mild tricuspid regurgitation is common and usually inconsequential, but moderate to severe leakage can strain the right ventricle, raise pressure in the veins, and produce fluid retention. It often develops secondary to other heart problems — left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or atrial fibrillation that enlarges the right atrium — rather than from a primary problem with the valve itself. Dr. Kedan distinguishes mild incidental findings from clinically important regurgitation that warrants more aggressive follow-up and, when appropriate, referral for valve intervention.

What Cardiolucent Evaluates

  • Detailed history of symptoms, fluid retention, and contributing conditions
  • Echocardiography with grading of regurgitation severity and right ventricular function
  • POCUS at every visit for interval reassessment
  • Identification and treatment of left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, and atrial fibrillation
  • Diuretic therapy when fluid overload is present
  • Coordination with structural heart and cardiac surgery teams at Cedars-Sinai for transcatheter or surgical options
  • Long-term surveillance of right heart function over time

Common Symptoms

  • Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
  • Awareness of pulsation in the neck
  • Shortness of breath, particularly with activity
  • Abdominal fullness or right upper quadrant discomfort
  • Mild tricuspid regurgitation is usually asymptomatic and found incidentally

Risk Factors

  • Left-sided heart disease, including heart failure and mitral valve disease
  • Pulmonary hypertension of any cause
  • Long-standing atrial fibrillation
  • Prior endocarditis
  • Pacemaker or defibrillator leads crossing the valve
  • Congenital valve abnormalities
  • Carcinoid heart disease (uncommon)

How Cardiolucent Approaches Treatment

Most tricuspid regurgitation is secondary, so the first priority is treating the underlying contributors — left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, and arrhythmia control. Diuretics are used to relieve fluid overload when present. For severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation that does not improve with medical therapy, transcatheter and surgical options have advanced substantially in recent years, and Dr. Kedan coordinates with the structural heart team at Cedars-Sinai for evaluation. Decisions about timing are individualized based on symptoms, right ventricular function, and overall health.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tricuspid valve regurgitation?
Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a leak in the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, allowing some blood to flow backward when the heart contracts. Mild regurgitation is common and usually harmless; moderate to severe regurgitation can have meaningful effects on the right heart and the circulation.
How is it related to other valve diseases?
Tricuspid regurgitation is one specific form of valvular heart disease. It is unusual among valve problems because it most often develops as a consequence of other cardiac conditions — left-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or atrial fibrillation — rather than from a primary valve abnormality.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Leg, ankle, or abdominal swelling, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and a sense of pulsation in the neck can all suggest meaningful tricuspid regurgitation. Mild regurgitation is usually silent and found incidentally on an echocardiogram done for another reason.
How is it diagnosed?
Echocardiography is the cornerstone, allowing grading of regurgitation severity, measurement of right ventricular size and function, and estimation of pulmonary artery pressure. POCUS at office visits provides quick interval reassessment between formal studies.
Is mild tricuspid regurgitation something to worry about?
Mild or trivial tricuspid regurgitation is extremely common and, in the absence of other findings, does not require treatment or close monitoring. It is generally considered a normal variant in many people.
When does tricuspid regurgitation need a procedure?
Severe symptomatic regurgitation that does not respond to medical therapy, particularly with progressive right ventricular dysfunction, is the main indication for intervention. The decision is individualized and often made jointly with structural heart and cardiac surgery teams.
What are the newer treatment options?
Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement have advanced substantially in recent years and are now available for selected patients who are not ideal surgical candidates. Surgery — repair when feasible, replacement when necessary — remains an important option for the right patients.
Can medications fix tricuspid regurgitation?
Medications cannot directly correct the leak, but treating the underlying causes can substantially reduce regurgitation severity. Diuretics relieve fluid overload, controlling atrial fibrillation can reverse some annular dilation, and treating left-sided heart disease lowers pressures driving the leak.
How often will I need follow-up?
Mild regurgitation generally needs only routine reassessment. Moderate or severe regurgitation is followed more closely, often every 6–12 months, with POCUS at interval visits and formal echocardiography periodically. Frequency is adjusted based on symptoms and trends.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (310) 304-5555 or use the contact form to schedule with Dr. Kedan at the Beverly Hills office. Cardiolucent does not bill Medicare or insurance; a detailed superbill is provided for any out-of-network reimbursement.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

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