The Forgotten Valve: A Clinical Update on Tricuspid Regurgitation

Authors

• Caitlyn J. Williams, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Cardiology

Advisor

Dr. Tom Colletti DHSc, MPAS, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to bring new awareness to clinicians on tricuspid valve anatomy, diagnostic work-up, and new treatment options for tricuspid regurgitation (TR), including emerging transcatheter approaches. A comprehensive search of the online databases PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to obtain relevant research of each TR treatment option: medical management, surgical tricuspid repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid repair or replacement. Articles were further narrowed based on their analysis of morbidity and mortality rates, recurrent heart failure hospitalization rates, and heart failure classification change. Transcatheter tricuspid repair and replacement was found to have promising results for decreased morbidity and mortality, reduced heart failure hospitalizations, lower hospitalization costs, and reduction of heart failure classification but increased need for permanent pacemaker insertion in comparison to medical therapy. Transcatheter tricuspid repair and replacement had significantly reduced mortality rates more than surgical tricuspid valve replacement. Time of intervention based on valvular severity and long term outcomes for transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention are still unclear due to limited data. There remains a need for additional research to fully understand the benefits of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions and their influence on future guidelines.

Recommended Citation

Williams CJ. The Forgotten Valve: A Clinical Update on Tricuspid Regurgitation. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).