Tricuspid Valve Surgery

Expert Heart Surgeons Offer Specialized Surgery

Tricuspid valve surgery either replaces or repairs the tricuspid valve, which controls blood flow from the right upper chamber to the right lower chamber of the heart. These chambers are also known as the right atrium and right ventricle.

People with tricuspid conditions experience chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and swollen ankles, feet or abdomen. These symptoms indicate that the heart is being forced to work harder.

Tricuspid valve surgery improves blood flow and reduces symptoms related to a faulty tricuspid valve. Treating the tricuspid valve also lowers the risk of developing heart failure. 

Who needs tricuspid valve surgery?

Surgery is often recommended for people with tricuspid valve diseases if treatment with medicine has not been successful. Tricuspid valve surgery is performed to treat people experiencing the following conditions:

• Severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, which occurs when the valve’s leaflets or flaps do not close properly, causing blood to leak backward from the lower chamber (right ventricle) to the upper chamber (right atrium). There are many causes of tricuspid regurgitation, but the most common ones are due to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Other less common causes are due to a congenital defect known as Ebstein anomaly, infection, injury caused by implantable device wires, Marfan syndrome and chest trauma. Symptoms include abnormal heart rhythms, fatigue, pulsing neck veins, shortness of breath and swelling in the limbs and abdomen. 
• Severe tricuspid valve stenosis, which happens when the valve is narrow or constricted, causing reduced forward blood flow and making the heart work harder. Symptoms include cold skin, fatigue, palpitations, chest pain and swollen legs.

How tricuspid valve surgery is performed

During open heart tricuspid valve surgery, your cardiac surgeon may repair the valve by either trimming, patching or reshaping the valve leaflets, separating fused leaflets or tightening the valve opening by placing a ring (annuloplasty) around the tricuspid valve. If tricuspid repair is not possible, then replacement with either a mechanical or biological valve may be required.

Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery

To assist in regaining your strength after surgery, your cardiac surgeon will recommend Cardiac Rehab at one of Wellstar’s many outpatient locations. The Cardiac Rehab team will work with you to develop an exercise regimen, monitor you during your exercise sessions and provide support and education to help you live a healthier life.


Learn about the highly skilled surgical care you'll receive through Wellstar's cardiovascular surgery program.