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Department of Medicine

Tricuspid Valve Disease

Tricuspid Regurgitation

Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when there is back-flow of blood in your tricuspid valve. This leakage increases the blood in the atrium which can change pressure in the heart and blood vessels and may lead to heart damage. Tricuspid regurgitation also reduces the efficiency of blood flow, which can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.

EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System

EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System
Image by Edwards Lifesciences ™ LLC, Irvine, CA

The EVOQUE is a transcatheter valve replacement device that replaces the tricuspid valve in the right side of the heart. It can be inserted without open heart surgery, allowing patients to potentially avoid the risks of such an operation. EVOQUE devices are used to address tricuspid regurgitation and increase the efficiency of blood flow, which can alleviate the fatigue and shortness of breath associated with heart failure. The EVOQUE device is inserted via a small incision in the femoral vein and maneuvered into the heart without needing to make an incision in the cardiac tissue. Once it reaches the heart, the EVOQUE will inflate to the size of the tricuspid valve and replace its function.