An Overview on Tricuspid Valve and Tricuspid Regurgitation

Abstract

The tricuspid valve is one of the four cardiac valves, located between the right atrium and right ventricle. It is composed of three leaflets (anterior, posterior, and septal), chordae tendineae, papillary muscles, and the annulus. Its primary role is to maintain unidirectional blood flow during right ventricular contraction by preventing backflow into the right atrium. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is the most common abnormality of this valve, characterized by the backward flow of blood into the right atrium during systole. TR can be functional (secondary to annular dilatation or right ventricular remodeling, often due to left-sided heart disease or pulmonary hypertension) or organic (primary, caused by intrinsic valve pathology such as rheumatic disease, endocarditis, trauma, or congenital malformations).