Do you also feel short of breath or wheezing when you are a little tired, or when you climb a flight of stairs? Or do your legs swell? You may think that this is normal, something that happens as you get older. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, behind these symptoms, there may be a problem with a small but very important part of our heart. Today we are talking about such an important part, the tricuspid valve of the heart. It is normal to feel scared when a doctor tells you that there is a problem with a valve in your heart. But don't be afraid, with today's advanced medical science, there are effective treatments for this. Let's understand everything about this simply.
First, let's see, what is the tricuspid valve?
Simply put, our heart is an amazing machine with four chambers. There are two chambers on top and two chambers on the bottom. The body's oxygen-poor blood first enters the upper chamber on the right side of the heart (Right Atrium). From there, that blood has to go to the lower chamber (Right Ventricle). Now, the door between that upper chamber and the lower chamber is what we call the tricuspid valve .
This is like a door that only opens in one direction. When blood flows from the top to the bottom, this door opens, and when the bottom chamber is full of blood, it closes again. Then the blood does not flow back into the top chamber. To be precise, this valve has three leaflets. That is why it is called 'tri'. The proper functioning of this valve is essential for the proper flow of blood throughout our body.
So what problems can arise with this valve?
Over time, this valve can become dysfunctional for a variety of reasons. There are two main conditions that are seen. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Condition | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| Tricuspid regurgitation | What happens in this is that the valve flaps don't close properly. Then, as the lower chamber contracts and pumps blood into the lungs, some of the blood leaks back into the upper chamber. It's like a door not closing properly. |
| Tricuspid stenosis | What happens in this case is that the valve leaflets become thick and stiff, and do not open properly. This means that the flaps are stuck together like rust. This then obstructs the flow of blood from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. |
Whatever the condition, the same thing happens. Our heart has to work harder to pump the amount of blood our body needs. Over time, this can lead to a weakening of the heart, which can lead to conditions like heart failure.
Is it better to repair the valve or install a new one?
This is a problem that many people have. Usually, doctors always try to repair your own valve. Because there is nothing better than a part of our own body.
However, sometimes, if the damage to the valve is so severe that it cannot be repaired, it may need to be removed and a new valve may need to be implanted (replacement). There are two types of these new valves.
Remember, your cardiologist will decide which treatment is best for you. He or she will make that decision after carefully examining your condition.
| Valve Type | Description and special features |
|---|---|
| Biological valve | These are made from animal tissue (e.g. from a pig or cow) or tissue from a deceased human donor. The advantage of this is that you don't have to take anticoagulants for a long time after the surgery. However, these usually only last for 10-20 years. After that, you may need to have another surgery. |
| Mechanical valve | These are made of durable synthetic materials like carbon. They last a lifetime. But because there is a risk of blood clots in these valves, you have to take blood-thinning medication for the rest of your life. It is very important to take that medication exactly as prescribed. |
How do you prepare before surgery?
Okay, now let's say the doctor decides that you need to have surgery. Before that, you will be thoroughly prepared.
- Awareness: The medical team will explain to you in detail what will happen before, during, and after the surgery.
- Asking questions: Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have. Don't keep anything to yourself.
- Talking about risks: Like all surgeries, there are small risks. You will be informed about those as well.
- Signing consent forms: You will need to sign documents to give your consent for the surgery.
- Tests: You will undergo several tests to see if you are suitable for surgery.
- Blood tests
- An ECG (Electrocardiogram)
- Chest X-ray examination
- An echocardiogram (this is like a scan of the heart. It can check the function of the valves)
- Preparing at home: You will need someone to help you when you get home after surgery. You should plan for these things in advance.
How is the surgery done?
There are several main methods of performing tricuspid valve surgery.
Traditional Open-Heart Surgery
This is the most common method. In this, the heart is accessed through an incision in the middle of the chest. During the surgery,
1. You will be completely anesthetized (put to sleep).
2. The heart's function is temporarily stopped.
3. At that time, you will be connected to a special machine that does the work of your heart and lungs (heart-lung bypass machine).
4. The surgeon repairs or replaces the valve.
5. The heart is then restarted, removed from the machine, and the incision is closed.
Minimally Invasive Options
Now that technology has advanced, it's not always necessary to make a large incision. There are ways to perform this surgery with smaller incisions.
- Right thoracotomy: This involves making a small incision between two ribs on the right side.
- Robotically assisted surgery: In this, the surgeon controls the arms of a robotic machine and performs the surgery through several small incisions made in the chest.
- Transcatheter procedure: This is the newest and least invasive procedure. In this procedure, a thin tube (catheter) is passed through a large vein in the leg or arm to the heart, through which the valve is repaired or replaced. The recovery time after this procedure is much shorter.
What happens after the surgery? How long does it take to recover?
After the surgery, you will stay in the intensive care unit of the hospital for a few days. Then you will be transferred to a general ward. The total hospital stay will vary depending on your condition and the type of surgery performed.
That's how it is with healing time.
- It can take several months to fully recover after open heart surgery .
- After a procedure like transcatheter , you can resume normal activities within a few weeks.
After you go home, it is very important to take the medicine your doctor prescribes on time, rest, and gradually start exercising.
What are the symptoms that require a visit to the doctor?
After you get home, you need to pay close attention to your body. If there is anything unusual, don't ignore it.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. | |
| Dizziness /fainting | If you feel dizzy when you stand up or at normal times. |
| Extreme fatigue | If you feel too tired to do anything. |
| Sudden weight gain | If you suddenly gain weight every two days. |
| Swelling of the legs or ankles | If the swelling of the legs increases. |
| Signs of infection related to the surgical wound - tell the doctor immediately | |
| Fever/chills | If the body temperature rises. |
| Pus draining from the wound | If there is fluid oozing from the incision site. |
| Redness around the wound, increased pain | If the wound is red and the pain is increasing day by day. |
| If you have these symptoms, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately! | |
| Chest pain | It feels like my chest is being squeezed, like it's being squeezed. |
| Sudden, severe difficulty breathing | If you suddenly can't breathe. |
| Fainting | If you suddenly lose consciousness and fall. |
Living with a heart valve problem can be challenging. But these surgeries can relieve your symptoms and allow you to live a normal life again, doing the things you love. So don't be afraid, talk to your doctor, and choose the treatment that's right for you.
Take-Home Message
- Tricuspid valve disease is a treatable condition. Ignoring it can cause heart damage.
- Although repairing the valve is usually the first choice, it may be necessary to replace it with a new one if the damage is extensive.
- Modern minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as open-heart surgery, are now available. Talk to your doctor about the method that is best for you.
- If you develop any unusual symptoms (especially chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness) after surgery, seek medical advice immediately. Go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- Don't worry. These surgeries can greatly improve your quality of life and lifespan.
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