In the human body, the tricuspid valve is needed as a fuse, to prevent the reverse movement of blood. Placed on the dividing line of the right atrium and the corresponding ventricle. The valve structure consists of connecting plates. Violation of his work is dangerous to human life.
Structure
The tricuspid valve, according to scientific literature, is also called tricuspid. With the movement of the heart, all processes occur synchronously. If a blockage occurs in one of the departments, it is insignificant temporary, the body immediately feels, the state changes significantly. Well-being immediately worsens, it becomes difficult to breathe and it is impossible to move.
The tricuspid valve is located on the left side of the sternum. It is part of a blood pumping system. It is a kind of cap that opens under the pressure of pushed blood. Closing occurs due to the reverse forces of the liquid automatically due to pressure on the surface of the valves.
Incomplete closure of the tricuspid valve occurs due to relaxation of the heart muscle, when it is no longer able to function normally. Due to a violation of the redistribution of internal pressures, tissues begin to break down, which as a result threatens the formation of heart disease. Some diseases become provocateurs of such a pathology.
Body work
The tricuspid valve is part of the human circulatory system. A huge amount of blood comes from the conclusions of the heart into the aorta, passing through all arteries and capillaries, it exchanges oxygen with the cells, and receives carbon dioxide. Along with this, the decay products from saturated processed trace elements are saturated and becomes dark in color. This blood is called venous.
Then there is a redistribution to the right region of the heart, further movement occurs along all the arteries of the lung, for oxygen enrichment. The tricuspid valve is not the only one that has the ability to block the reverse current. This is necessary for the separation of jointly working: left, right ventricles and atria.
Blood fills the left region of the heart, then from the atrium it flows into the ventricle. After this, circulation occurs in a large circle of blood circulation. Venous blood returns to the right atrium, then to the right ventricle and enters the pulmonary circulation. After oxygenation, the cycle of the great circle is repeated again through the left atrium and ventricle.
Valve functions
Since the left and right parts of the heart work synchronously, it is necessary to temporarily shut off the reverse current between the departments. Indeed, blood pumping occurs cyclically: there is a moment of fluid collection in the ventricle, followed by a powerful discharge of blood into the aorta. The valve system performs the correct operation:
- Located in the left region of the heart is referred to as mitral.
- Triskupidal.
- Valve in the artery of the lungs.
- Aortic, as a fuse of the largest system.
Doctors use the definition of regurgitation, which refers to the phenomenon of blood flow in the opposite direction through valves. To prevent this from happening, the listed blockers must work out on time according to the following rules:
- The mitral valve is open only at the time of pumping blood from the left atrium to the corresponding ventricle. It closes when the accumulated fluid is ejected into the aorta. There are two flaps in the valve structure.
- The tricuspid aortic valve closes the passage between the right atrium and the corresponding ventricle. The work is similar to mitral. There are three wings in the structure.
- Pulmonary refers to the area between the pulmonary trunk and the right ventricle. Serves to block the reverse current at the time of relaxation of the heart muscle.
- The aortic is located in the outlet of the left ventricle. It blocks the reverse flow of blood from the aorta at the time of relaxation of the heart muscle. Consists of three lunate cusps.
Heart disease
The insufficiency of the tricuspid valve leads to the formation of blood regurgitation or its reverse duct from the atrium to the ventricle. This occurs at the time of systole (exit of the right ventricle). The relaxed cusps sag under the pressure of the blood.
This condition can occur with mechanical blockage of the aorta. More often, patients acquire the disease throughout life. But there are examples of congenital heart defects.
Pathology Forms
Valve malfunction occurs for the following reasons:
- The lack of necessary trace elements in the body, on which the density and elasticity of the tissues forming the valve plate depends.
- Violation of the functionality of the tricuspid valve can occur due to a malfunction in the neighboring parts of the heart.
Due to stagnation of blood in the body, the tricuspid valve of the heart is incompletely closed. It can lead a person to a state of disability. Hypertrophic walls of the atrium are formed due to dilatation (expansion) of the right ventricle. Hence, stagnant processes in arteries and veins are formed.
Pathology can be detected by internal sensations and by swelling of a vein in the neck at the time of expulsion of blood from the heart. Venous pressure usually rises. The liver increases significantly.
Causes and signs
Among the established causes of the weakening of the tricuspid valve, the following are distinguished:
- Carcinoid syndrome.
- The consequences of developed rheumatism.
- With endocarditis of an infectious origin.
- Mechanical damage to the papillary muscles or rupture of the chords.
- The effect of myocarditis.
- After cardiomyopathy.
- The consequence of severe thyrotoxicosis.
Congenital pathologies often occur in conjunction with other abnormalities in the structure of the heart. Tricuspid stenosis can lead to retraction of the chest, which the doctor discovers by palpation. Also, while listening to heartbeats, significant noises during systole (ejection of blood from the ventricle) are manifested.
However, noise can only be detected in acute failure. Less severe symptoms are often overlooked. An accurate diagnosis requires instrumental examination on devices.
Diagnostic Methods
When diagnosing, systolic murmur during inspiration is important. This indicates a tricuspid valve insufficiency. However, it should be remembered that this phenomenon is inconsistent and may disappear completely for some time. To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, an electrocardiogram is taken.
On the resulting graph for pathology observe:
- deviation of the electric axis to the right;
- an increase in the size of the P wave (in the region of the second and third chest leads).
Radiography may also be used. The picture shows dilatation of the ventricle or atrium. Deviations are noticeable in the images of echocardiography, where abnormal movements of the cardiac septa are established. When analyzing the patient's condition, the following points are taken into account:
- Type of noise and the area of its manifestation.
- The size of the heart, often it is enlarged.
- The presence of congestion in the circles of blood circulation.
- The magnitude of venous pressure.
- The size of the liver.
- Chest condition.
- Pressure in the right atrium.
Physical pathology
The narrowing of the valve opening is called stenosis. This phenomenon occurs under the influence of rheumatism, congenital malformations, as well as prolonged mechanical stress. As a result of the disease, an increase in pressure on the walls of the heart occurs. The atrium increases. Stagnation in the circulatory system begins.
For the treatment of mild cases of pathology, preventive actions are carried out. Starting from the second degree of severity, surgical intervention is already recommended. The valve is subjected to scalpel treatment, as a result, it is often necessary to stitch the plates or to leave only two instead of three. According to statistics, about 14% of patients do not survive after surgery.
But even after successful treatment, the patient is already becoming disabled. It is required to avoid physical exertion and undergo periodic examinations to exclude further progression of the pathology.