Tricuspid insufficiency

Tricuspid regurgitation may not cause any symptoms if the patient does not have pulmonary hypertension. If pulmonary hypertension and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation exist together, the following symptoms may result:

• Active pulsing in the neck veins
• Decreased urine output
• Fatigue, tiredness
• General swelling
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Weakness

The health care provider may detect abnormalities when when gently pressing with the hand (palpating) on your chest. The doctor may also feel a pulse over your liver. The physical exam may reveal liver and spleen swelling.

Listening to the heart with a stethoscope shows a murmur or abnormal sounds.There may be signs of fluid collection in the abdomen.

An ECG or echocardiogram may show swelling of the right side of the heart. Doppler echocardiography or right-sided cardiac catheterization are used to measure blood pressures inside the heart and lungs.

Images

Heart, front view

Tricuspid Regurgitation

Tricuspid Regurgitation

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Tricuspid regurgitation Treatment

Review Date: 05/04/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)