Managing tricuspid valve pathology in multiple valvular heart disease

Multiple valvular heart disease (MVD) is a general term to describe regurgitant and stenotic combination involving the same valve and/or occurring in ≥2 cardiac valves. Limited data and paucity in guidelines render the diagnosis and management. This article aims to provide a state-of-the-art review concerning the diagnosis and management strategies of MVD.

We report a 46-year-old female with worsening dyspnea and fatigue. We perform multiple echocardiography parameters. We diagnose patients with the stenotic mitral valve, stenotic-regurgitant aortic valve, and stenotic-regurgitant tricuspid valve (TV). Double mechanical valve replacement and TV commissurotomy with Kay procedure were done with excellent results.

The prevalence of MVD is 15% in those undergoing cardiac surgery; however only 1% of those who underwent triple valve surgery involve TV. The presence of TV lesion may complicate the natural history, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes. Echocardiography with valid method remains an important tool in assessment of patients with MVD. Multidiscipline heart team discussion is essential in determining individual risk, appropriate management methods, and long-term survival.

The expertise of multidisciplinary heart valve team is of utmost importance in determining diagnosis and optimal management strategy.