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Tricuspid valve stenosis with insufficiency

Last edited: 4/22/2026

Overview

Tricuspid valve stenosis with insufficiency is a rare condition often resulting from traumatic injury, leading to right-sided heart failure symptoms such as jugular venous distension and hepatomegaly. 25

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Symptoms: Prominent jugular venous waves, right precordial impulse, systolic liver pulsations, and Carvallo sign.
  • Noninvasive Tests: Echocardiography revealing dilated right atrium, right ventricle, and a floppy tricuspid valve.
  • Invasive Tests: Right heart catheterization to measure elevated right atrial pressures and right ventricular pressures.
  • Diagnostic Imaging: Chest X-ray showing prominent right atrium and distended vena cavae.
  • Right Ventriculography: Valuable for visualizing tricuspid valve function; use of specific catheter techniques minimizes interference and PVC induction. 6
  • Management

  • Surgical Repair: De Vega annuloplasty and adjustable annuloplasty techniques are effective for tricuspid valve repair, reducing right-sided filling pressures and improving clinical status. 134
  • Timing of Surgery: Early surgical intervention for repair before right ventricular function deteriorates is increasingly advocated over traditional replacement strategies. 2
  • Valve Replacement: Considered in cases where repair is not feasible or fails, though repair is generally preferred. 7
  • Special Populations

  • Traumatic Origin: Most cases arise from blunt chest trauma, particularly motor vehicle accidents, affecting predominantly adults. 25
  • Elderly and Comorbidities: Specific considerations for surgical risk in elderly patients or those with comorbidities are not extensively detailed in the provided abstracts.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Repair Over Replacement: Prefer tricuspid valve repair using techniques like De Vega annuloplasty for traumatic tricuspid insufficiency to preserve native valve function. (Evidence: Strong 134)
  • Early Surgical Intervention: Consider early surgical repair before significant right ventricular dysfunction occurs to optimize outcomes. (Evidence: Moderate 2)
  • Use of Right Heart Catheterization: Employ right heart catheterization for accurate assessment of right-sided pressures and valve function in diagnosing and managing tricuspid insufficiency. (Evidence: Moderate 56)
  • References

    1 Bara C, Zhang R, Haverich A. De Vega annuloplasty for tricuspid valve repair in posttraumatic tricuspid insufficiency--16 years experience. International journal of cardiology 2008. link 2 Dounis G, Matsakas E, Poularas J, Papakonstantinou K, Kalogeromitros A, Karabinis A. Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency: a case report with a review of the literature. European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine 2002. link 3 Oz MC, Goldstein DJ, Rose EA. 1987: Adjustable annuloplasty for tricuspid insufficiency. Updated in 1994. The Annals of thoracic surgery 1994. link92271-3) 4 Kurlansky P, Rose EA, Malm JR. Adjustable annuloplasty for tricuspid insufficiency. The Annals of thoracic surgery 1987. link63801-5) 5 Sheikhzadeh A, Langbehn AF, Ghabusi P, Hakim C, Wendler G, Tarbiat S. Chronic traumatic tricuspid insufficiency. Clinical cardiology 1984. link 6 Ubago JL, Figueroa A, Colman T, Ochoteco A, Rodríguez M, Durán CM. Right ventriculography as a valid method for the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency. Catheterization and cardiovascular diagnosis 1981. link 7 Kay JH, Mendez AM, Zubiate P. A further look at tricuspid annuloplasty. The Annals of thoracic surgery 1976. link64462-1)

    Original source

    1. [1]
      De Vega annuloplasty for tricuspid valve repair in posttraumatic tricuspid insufficiency--16 years experience.Bara C, Zhang R, Haverich A International journal of cardiology (2008)
    2. [2]
      Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency: a case report with a review of the literature.Dounis G, Matsakas E, Poularas J, Papakonstantinou K, Kalogeromitros A, Karabinis A European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine (2002)
    3. [3]
      1987: Adjustable annuloplasty for tricuspid insufficiency. Updated in 1994.Oz MC, Goldstein DJ, Rose EA The Annals of thoracic surgery (1994)
    4. [4]
      Adjustable annuloplasty for tricuspid insufficiency.Kurlansky P, Rose EA, Malm JR The Annals of thoracic surgery (1987)
    5. [5]
      Chronic traumatic tricuspid insufficiency.Sheikhzadeh A, Langbehn AF, Ghabusi P, Hakim C, Wendler G, Tarbiat S Clinical cardiology (1984)
    6. [6]
      Right ventriculography as a valid method for the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency.Ubago JL, Figueroa A, Colman T, Ochoteco A, Rodríguez M, Durán CM Catheterization and cardiovascular diagnosis (1981)
    7. [7]
      A further look at tricuspid annuloplasty.Kay JH, Mendez AM, Zubiate P The Annals of thoracic surgery (1976)

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