Tricuspid Valve Disease

Causes

Tricuspid valve defects or damage occur for various reasons, including:

• Most often in conjunction with other heart valve problems, particularly with mitral valve disease.
• Tricuspid leakage, or regurgitation, can also be related to a severe, long-standing lung disorder, such as emphysema or pulmonary hypertension or by a narrowing of the pulmonary valve (pulmonary stenosis). When the right ventricle enlarges and thickens so it can pump harder, the tricuspid valve opening stretches.
• Damage caused by a heart attack, birth defect or infection, such as endocarditis or rheumatic fever.
• Use of the diet medications "Phen-fen" (phentermine and fenfluramine) or dexfenfluramine is an important risk factor for damage to the tricuspid valve. Damage can also be caused by other medications.
• In rare instances, an unusual tumor called a carcinoid, which secretes a hormone that damages the tricuspid valve.
• Tricuspid valve abnormalities are also associated with Ebstein's anomaly.
• Trauma, such as a car accident, can disrupt the tricuspid valve support apparatus and result in severe leakage.