Patient was educated on tricuspid stenosis and its pathophysiology as follows:
- A normal functioning tricuspid valve opens, when the right atrium contracts, allowing deoxygenated/venous blood from the right atrium to be pumped into the right ventricle. Upon contraction of right ventricle, this blood will be pumped through the pulmonary arteries, to the lungs for oxygen pick-up.
- Tricuspid stenosis is an abnormal condition of narrowing of the tricuspid valve opening, secondary to inability of the valve to open completely.
- Incomplete opening of the tricuspid valve with narrowing results in restriction of the blood flow from the right atrium to right ventricle, when the right atrium contracts.
- Obstruction to free flow of blood during right atrial contraction reduces the volume of deoxygenated blood pumped out of the right atrium into the right ventricle
- This finally, reduces the blood volume pumped out of right ventricle into the lungs for oxygen pick-up. Reduced volume of blood getting oxygenated leads to compromised blood and oxygen supply to the vital organs, thus affecting their function.
- Also, increased back-up of blood in right atrium can result in increased blood volume and pressure in the right atrium, enlargement of the right atrium, progressive weakening of the right atrial muscle, and right atrial failure. Over a period of time, this increased volume and pressure in the right atrium can result in increased resistance to receiving venous blood from the peripheral veins, increased back-up of blood in peripheral veins, increased pressure in the peripheral veins, signs of fluid retention, and pedal edema.
