Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a condition where one of the valves of the heart, the tricuspid valve, does not close correctly and blood flows backward into the chambers of the heart. Treatment options historically have been limited for people with a leaky tricuspid valve, butminimally invasive procedures are now available. Georgia Heart Institute now offers advanced Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) for patients with tricuspid insufficiency.
What are the symptoms of tricuspid valve regurgitation?
Tricuspid valve regurgitation often does not cause symptoms until it is severe. Symptoms of severe tricuspid valve regurgitation include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling, especially in the stomach, feet and ankles, legs or neck
- Shortness of breath
- Pounding or pulsing in the neck
- Abnormal heart rhythms or a rapid, fluttering heartbeat
If you have any of the symptoms above, they may be a sign of a heart conditions. You should see a cardiologist for evaluation and testing.
How do you treat tricuspid valve regurgitation?
Depending on the severity of tricuspid valve regurgitation, treatment can involve one or more of the following:
- Monitoring the condition to detect any progression of the condition
- Lifestyle changes to prevent your condition from worsening
- Medication to prevent complications
- Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), a minimally invasive procedure done via catheter
- Tricuspid Valve Surgery, including robotic and open-heart surgical options
Meeting with a cardiologist will help determine the best treatment plan. Your cardiologist will discuss your condition and its severity, symptoms, your health history and preferences. If a leaky tricuspid valve is left untreated, it can cause complications such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Who is a candidate for Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER)?
Candidates for a TEER procedure typically are those with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation who may be considered high-risk for an open-heart surgery. A doctor may recommend TEER if:
- Open-heart surgery poses certain health risks for the patient.
- The patient has significant tricuspid valve regurgitation, presenting the need for surgery.
- The structure of the tricuspid valve can be repaired effectively through the TEER procedure.
A cardiologist can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of open-heart surgeries and minimally invasive transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedures to help you understand if you are a candidate for TEER or not.
TriClip
Georgia Heart Institute now offers TriClip, a device used during a minimally invasive transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure. At one of our advanced cath labs, one of our interventional cardiologists will thread a tiny tube, called a catheter, into a patient’s body and guide the catheter to the tricuspid valve. The TriClip device is used to clip together the tricuspid valve leaflets at their edges to reduce backflow of blood. TEER procedures with TriClip offer patients with leaky tricuspid valve an alternative to open-heart surgery. TriClip restores normal blood flow and decreases the chances of developing certain conditions such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation (AFib) caused by tricuspid valve regurgitation.
Georgia Heart Institute was the first heart program in the United States to do a TriClip procedure in a commercial, non-trial setting.
Why Choose Georgia Heart Institute?
As the state’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program, Georgia Heart Institute is dedicated to providing our patients the latest advancements in heart care. Through our Structural Heart Center, we provide specialized care and management for patients with heart valve disease. Our specialists help patients determine whether medical management, a minimally invasive procedure or surgery is the right option.
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