Patient/caregiver was educated on tricuspid regurgitation and its pathophysiology as follows:
- A normal functioning tricuspid valve closes completely, when the right ventricle contracts, allowing deoxygenated/venous blood from the right ventricle to be pumped through the pulmonary arteries, to the lungs for oxygen pick-up.
- Tricuspid regurgitation is an abnormal condition of incomplete closing of the tricuspid valve, when the right ventricle contracts. This resulting in back flow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium.
- Back flow of blood into the right atrium from the right ventricle reduces the volume of deoxygenated blood pumped out 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 deoxygenated/venous 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.
