Tricuspid Valve Disease

Tricuspid valve disease refers to conditions that affect the tricuspid valve—one of the heart’s four valves. This valve has three leaflets that open and close to control blood flow between the right atrium (which receives blood returning from the body) and right ventricle (which pumps blood to the lungs).    

Types of Tricuspid Valve Disease

When the tricuspid valve does not function properly, it can disrupt normal blood flow and strain the heart. There are two main types of tricuspid valve disease, tricuspid valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve stenosis.  

Tricuspid valve regurgitation occurs when the tricuspid valve becomes weakened and cannot fully close. When the tricuspid valve doesn’t fully close, blood is able to flow backwards into the heart’s right atrium and into veins coming from the liver and other parts of the body. This backward flow forces the heart to compensate, which can lead to enlargement of the heart and reduced efficiency over time.

Tricuspid valve stenosis occurs when the tricuspid valve becomes narrowed, often due to scarring or calcium buildup. Tricuspid valve stenosis prevents the tricuspid valve from opening properly, making it harder for blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. As a result, the heart must work harder to push blood through the restricted opening.

Treatments for Tricuspid Valve Disease

At the William Acquavella Heart Valve Center, our team is leading the way in minimally invasive treatments for tricuspid valve disease. Our team is committed to staying at the forefront of emerging therapies, offering patients access to the latest advancements in valve care.

Our approach uses catheter-based techniques, where a thin, flexible tube is guided through a vein in the groin to deliver specialized devices directly to the tricuspid valve—without the need for open-heart surgery.

Currently, there are two FDA-approved transcatheter therapies for treating tricuspid regurgitation including Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) and Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR).

For patients who are not eligible for FDA-approved transcatheter therapies, we offer treatment with an investigational device. These groundbreaking options allow us to treat patients who may not be candidates for traditional surgery, improving outcomes and recovery times.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER): TEER is used to treat tricuspid valve regurgitation. It works by clipping the valve leaflets together to reduce leakage and improve blood flow. 

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR): TTVR is used when the tricuspid valve is too damaged to repair. A new valve is delivered through the catheter and placed inside the existing valve to restore proper function.

Surgery: In some cases, minimally invasive, open-heart, or “hybrid” heart surgery is necessary. The surgeons at Weill Cornell Cardiothoracic Surgery are skilled in a multitude of tricuspid valve techniques with exceptional outcomes.