tricuspidalisklep

Tricuspidalisklep, commonly referred to as the tricuspid valve, is one of the four heart valves. It lies between the right atrium and the right ventricle and acts to regulate blood flow during the cardiac cycle.

Anatomy and function: The valve consists of three leaflets—anterior, septal, and posterior—attached to the papillary muscles by chordae tendineae. The fibrous annulus forms the valve’s ring. During diastole, the leaflets open to allow blood to move from the right atrium to the right ventricle; during systole, they close to prevent backflow into the atrium.

Pathology: The most common problem is tricuspid regurgitation (TR), where blood leaks backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium. TR can be functional, typically due to dilation of the right ventricle or atrium from other heart diseases, or organic, caused by rheumatic disease, infective endocarditis, carcinoid syndrome, or congenital anomalies such as Ebstein anomaly. Tricuspid stenosis, a narrowing of the orifice, is less common. Symptoms may include fatigue, edema, abdominal swelling, and signs of right-sided heart failure.

Diagnosis: Evaluation uses physical examination and imaging, with echocardiography as the primary tool to assess valve anatomy and severity. Additional imaging (CT or MRI) can help evaluate surrounding structures. Electrocardiography and laboratory tests support assessment of related cardiac conditions.

Treatment: Management focuses on the underlying cause and symptom relief. Diuretics are used for volume overload. In many cases, surgical repair (often with annuloplasty) or valve replacement is considered when significant symptoms or severe regurgitation persist. Transcatheter therapies for the tricuspid valve are increasingly used in selected patients as less invasive alternatives to open surgery.