Failure of the tricuspid valve to close fully, allowing blood to leak back into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts. The condition, which is also known as tricuspid insufficiency, reduces the pumping efficiency of the heart.
The usual cause is pulmonary hypertension, but more rarely, it follows rheumatic fever, or, in intravenous drug users, a bacterial infection of the heart.
Tricuspid incompetence results in symptoms of rightsided heart failure, notably oedema of the ankles and abdomen. The liver is swollen and tender, and veins in the neck are distended.
A diagnosis is made from the symptoms, from hearing a heart murmur through a stethoscope, and by tests that may include an ECG, chest X-rays, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization.
Treatment with diuretic drugs and ACE inhibitors often relieves the symptoms.
Failure of the TRICUSPID VALVE in the HEART to close fully, thus permitting blood to leak back into the right atrium during contractions of the right ventricle. This reduces the heart’s pumping e?ciency, and right-sided heart failure usually results. Treatment for heart failure (using DIURETICS and ACE inhibitor drugs) usually restores function, but sometimes heart surgery is required to repair or replace the defective valve.
See also REGURGITATION. This is the back ?ow of blood through the AORTIC VALVE of the HEART into the left ventricle, caused by an incompetent valve. The failure to close may be caused by a congenital defect or by damage from disease. The defect may be cured by surgical replacement of the damaged valve with an arti?cial valve. (See HEART, DISEASES OF.)... aortic incompetence
Incompetence is a term applied to the valves of the heart when, as a result of disease in the valves or alterations in size of the chambers of the heart, the valves become unable to close the ori?ces which they should protect. (See HEART, DISEASES OF.)... incompetence
A defect in the MITRAL VALVE of the HEART which allows blood to leak from the left VENTRICLE into the left ATRIUM. It is also known as mitral regurgitation; incompetence may occur along with MITRAL STENOSIS. The left ventricle has to work harder to compensate for the faulty valve, so it enlarges, but eventually the ventricle cannot cope with the extra load and left-sided heart failure may develop. A common cause of mitral incompetence is RHEUMATIC FEVER or damage following a heart attack. The condition is treated with drugs to help the heart, but in severe cases heart surgery may be required.... mitral incompetence
The normal working of the TRICUSPID VALVE in the HEART is impeded by a narrowing of the opening, often as a sequel of RHEUMATIC FEVER. As with TRICUSPID INCOMPETENCE, heart failure may result and treatment is similar, with surgery to repair or replace the faulty valve an option.... tricuspid stenosis
A rare defect of the pulmonary valve at the exit of the heart’s right ventricle. The valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to leak back into the heart. The cause is usually rheumatic fever, endocarditis, or severe pulmonary hypertension.... pulmonary incompetence
a rare form of congenital heart disease in which there is no communication between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Affected babies present with *cyanosis, breathlessness, particularly on feeding, and *failure to thrive. Diagnosis is by *echocardiography. Treatment involves surgical intervention, but the prognosis is often poor.... tricuspid atresia
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