Tricuspid Valve Repair & Replacement

One of four valves that control blood flow through the heart, the tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. When it becomes damaged or diseased, blood doesn’t flow properly. When this happens, the heart must work harder to send blood to the lungs and rest of the body.

Tricuspid valve repair and tricuspid valve replacement are surgical options to help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms of heart valve disease. If a damaged tricuspid valve is not treated, the risk of complications like heart failure increases.

Receiving Tricuspid Valve Surgery at Georgia Heart Institute

The first choice to treat a diseased or damaged heart valve is repair or reconstruction. Compared to replacement, tricuspid valve repair can help preserve overall heart function in the long term. The tricuspid valve can be repaired with open valve surgery or minimally invasive surgery.

Open tricuspid valve surgery

With open-heart valve surgery, the chest is opened through an incision along the sternum(breastbone). This process, called a sternotomy, provides the surgeon with clear and direct access to the heart and heart valves. A heart-lung machine likely will be used to oxygenate and circulate blood throughout the body while the heart is stopped during surgery. To determine if you are a candidate for open valve surgery, the surgeon will consider your overall health, medical history and the degree of damage or disease in the valve, along with other factors.

Robotic tricuspid valve surgery

With robotic tricuspid valve surgery, the surgeon will make two small incisions to access the chest and heart. A specialized video scope is inserted in one incision to provide images of the diseased valve. The other opening is used to repair the valve. This minimally invasive option is completed without moving or distorting the heart, so it stays in its natural state as much as possible. Patients with severe valve damage, multiple damaged valves or severe clogged arteries, or those who have had previous cardiothoracic surgeries, may not be good candidate for robotic valve surgery.

What to expect after your procedure

Following your procedure, you will be taken to Georgia Heart Institute’s Ronnie Green Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). This state-of-the-art recovery center is staffed with a dedicated team of specialists. They will monitor your vital signs and readings to ensure you are recovering well and staying healthy.

To support breathing during the early stages of recovery, you likely will be on a ventilator. This allows the body to heal, but you will eventually transition to self-sustained breathing. You may notice chest discomfort or soreness, which is completely normal after surgery.

While you stay at the CVICU, you will receive medications, therapies and assistance that support your recovery. You will also receive care in the Cardiac Care Unit and from the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation team to ensure you are progressing through each stage of post-surgical recovery.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER)

Although many patients, including those of advanced age, are great candidates for open or robotic tricuspid valve surgery, surgery may not be an option for other patients. For these individuals, our team will consider an alternative non-surgical, catheter-based procedure called Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER).

Why Choose Georgia Heart Institute?

Georgia Heart Institute is the state’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program,providing tricuspid valve repair and replacement surgery and other types of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Our specialized team has many years of experience providing minimally invasive valve procedures. The surgeons and cardiologists at Georgia Heart Institute are pleased to provide patients with the highest quality of care by offering the latest and most effective treatment options along with our state-of-the-art Ronnie Green Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU).

Connect with our program