Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication to help manage some of the symptoms of tricuspid valve regurgitation. In moderate or severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking or losing weight, may be used to help limit heart failure symptoms. Your doctor will continue to monitor the progression of your condition.
Medications
Medications may be prescribed to reduce blood pressure (e.g., beta blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors) or to manage heart failure; occasionally, antibiotics are given to reduce infection risk before dental or medical procedures; after valve replacement, blood thinners are prescribed to prevent stroke.
Surgery & Other Procedures
For those with moderate to severe symptoms of regurgitation—or with risk of heart failure—the valve is often repaired. When the valve needs to be replaced, this is done using a mechanical or tissue (from pig, cow, or human donor) valve. Surgical therapies include:
- Separating fused leaflets, reshaping or strengthening a leaking valve, repairing a tear or hole, and removing calcium
- Endovascular, mini-thoracotomy via port access or keyhole approaches: using high resolution imaging and improved angles of approach offered by minimally invasive surgery
- Complex tricuspid valve repair and replacement procedures for patients with severe disease
- Re-repair or simultaneous treatment of other serious heart problems such as aortic disease, arrhythmias, coronary disease, or heart failure