Acquired Diseases of the Pulmonic and Tricuspid Valves

The etiologies and pathology of tricuspid regurgitation may be divided into primary and secondary causes {1}. Primary or “organic” tricuspid regurgitation is due to abnormalities of the tricuspid valve leaflets, chordea tendinea, papillary muscles, or adjacent myocardium {1, 2}. More commonly, tricuspid regurgitation occurs when anatomically normal valves function abnormally due to high pressure or volume loads. This is referred to as secondary or functional tricuspid regurgitation.