Ask for a Referral

You’ll need a referral from your cardiologist to make an appointment with a cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgeon. If you have questions, call 703.558.6491.

Tricuspid Valve Repair

Rely on a skilled VHC Health surgeon to perform tricuspid valve repair surgery that could help you regain energy and endurance.

What Does a Tricuspid Valve Do?

When your body uses up the oxygen in your blood, the blood flows back to your heart. The tricuspid valve’s job is to allow the blood to flow from the upper right heart chamber (atrium) to the bottom heart chamber (ventricle). Then the ventricle pumps the blood into the lungs to replenish it with oxygen.

If your tricuspid valve doesn’t close all the way, blood can leak backward into the upper right atrium. This is called tricuspid valve regurgitation. The tricuspid valve can also have damage from aging, infection or disease. You may need tricuspid valve repair for leakage or damage.

Diagnosis

To see how your valve works and diagnose your condition, your cardiologist will order a diagnostic cardiac catheterization and transesophageal echocardiogram (an exam that shows the back of your heart). If surgery is your best treatment option, your doctor will refer you to a cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgeon at VHC Health.

Tricuspid Valve Repair Surgery

Your surgeon may do tricuspid repair surgery with another scheduled cardiac surgery. You’ll get general anesthesia before surgery. During the repair, you’ll be on a heart-lung bypass machine to maintain your blood circulation and oxygen temporarily. Using an annuloplasty ring, your surgeon opens your heart's right upper chamber to repair the valve’s framework (annulus).

After Surgery

You’ll go to the intensive care unit for close observation after surgery. As your recovery progresses, you’ll move to the cardiovascular step-down unit for three to four days.

Before leaving the hospital, your care team will make sure you can walk normally and eat regular food.