Understanding and replacing your leaky heart valve
Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) happens when the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart does not close properly. When the valve does not fully close, blood flows backward from the lower chamber (ventricle) into the upper chamber (atrium) making your heart work harder to move blood through the valve.1,2
Untreated, TR can worsen with time. It often does not show signs or symptoms until the disease is severe. With TR, you may have shortness of breath or feel weak. It may also cause abnormal heart beats or swelling in your abdomen, ankles, veins in your neck or feet. These symptoms can seriously affect your quality of life.2
The tricuspid valve does not close properly due to an issue with the valve’s leaflets or an enlarged heart chamber. As a result, blood leaks backward into the right atrium (upper chamber) instead of moving forward into the right ventricle (lower chamber).1,2
Clinical trial data showed patients who received an EVOQUE valve could experience improvements in symptoms, function, and quality of life within 30 days, including the ability to take care of themselves and participate in everyday activities.3
By treating severe tricuspid regurgitation, you can potentially:
with improved ability to do physical activities.3
with a procedure that involves implanting a device through a small cut in your leg.5
with TR, you may have shortness of breath or feel weak.3
If you have severe TR and continue to have heart failure symptoms on medical therapy, transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement may be an option for you. Only a specialized Heart Team can determine which treatment option is best for you.4
*Less invasive than open heart surgery
There are a few different ways to treat TR7:
Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to help some symptoms of the failure of your heart valve. However, it will not cure or fix the valve.
Open heart surgical valve repair or replacement is where the doctor will open your chest and repair or replace the damaged valve. It is often in conjunction with another heart valve procedure. Another surgical option is minimally invasive surgery, where the surgeon performs one or several small incisions in the chest wall to perform the intervention.6
During a transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention, the doctor treats your leaky tricuspid valve without open heart valve surgery, using a delivery catheter (a tube-like device) with an implant attached to its tip.
Seeing a specialized doctor on a Heart Team will ensure you are evaluated for all treatment options. They will consider factors about your health to decide the most appropriate treatment option for you. Your doctor will consider these factors:
If you have severe TR and continue to have symptoms on medical therapy, transcatheter valve replacement may help your heart work better. Other potential benefits may include3:
Talk to your doctor for a full explanation of the benefits and risks associated with this procedure.
The Edwards EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system is a device designed to replace your tricuspid valve and help reduce or eliminate tricuspid regurgitation. The valve is put into place using a minimally invasive delivery system through a small puncture in your groin. On average, a Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement procedure with the EVOQUE system lasts about 2 hours.5
EVOQUE valve
EVOQUE valve
As with any medical procedure, there is a possibility of risks. The Edwards TTVR procedure’s most serious risks include4:
Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement involves implanting a device through a small cut in your leg. The device is used to replace your leaky heart valve.
On average, a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement procedure with the EVOQUE system lasts about 2 hours.
Read an overview of severe TR and the treatment process.
For a listing of indications, contraindications, precautions, warnings, and potential adverse events, please refer to the Instructions for Use (consult eifu.edwards.com where applicable).