The tricuspid valve in review: Anatomy, pathophysiology and echocardiographic assessment with focus on functional tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract

The tricuspid valve (TV) is a complex anatomical structure that incorporates a saddle-shaped annulus, asymmetric leaflets, the subvalvular apparatus and the right ventricle and its loading conditions. In this paper, an appreciation of the normal anatomy and physiology of the TV is reviewed before discussing functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a disease that has garnered renewed interest due to increased awareness of adverse outcomes and novel transcatheter therapeutic options. Two and three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of the TV using transthoracic and transesophageal windows are subsequently discussed. The future of cardiovascular medicine will have more to offer the "forgotten" right-sided chambers and valves, and this review aims to refresh knowledge and enthusiasm around the forgotten but crucially important TV.