Non-surgical replacement of the valve that separates the right chambers of the heart
If your tricuspid valve needs to be replaced to restore normal blood flow and preserve heart function, your doctor may recommend transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement as an alternative to open-heart surgery. The experts in our Structural Heart and Valvular Disease Program use minimally invasive approaches whenever possible to minimize risk and reduce recovery time for our patients. Our doctors work with you and other surgical teams to determine the best treatment option for your unique condition.
What to expect during transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement
You may be asked not to eat or drink before the procedure. Ask your doctor if you should continue taking any regular medications. An IV will be inserted in your arm to provide sedation, medication, and fluids.
You may be placed under general anesthesia and a thin, flexible tube known as a catheter will be inserted into an artery in your groin or arm. Using X-ray images, your surgeon will guide the catheter to the tricuspid valve.
There are two options for a replacement valve:
Biological valve: A valve made from pig or cow tissue does not require blood thinning medications, but may need to be replaced when it degenerates.
Mechanical valve: The valve may be made from plastic, carbon or metal and will last longer than a biological valve. They will require blood thinners to reduce the risk of bleeding and stroke .
The valve will be carried by the catheter and placed using a balloon that presses the valve into place. The catheter is then removed and you are taken to the recovery area. You will be monitored for several days in the hospital.
Conditions
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Tricuspid stenosis: Tricuspid stenosis is a narrowing of the heart’s tricuspid valve, which limits the flow of blood through the heart.
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Tricuspid valve disease: Tricuspid valve disease refers to several diseases of the heart’s tricuspid valve, through which blood passes as it travels from the heart’s right atrium to the right ventricle.
Tests
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Cardiac catheterization: Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
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Chest X-ray: Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
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Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG): An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
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Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): Transesophageal echocardiogram allows us to take very detailed images of your heart structure from a probe in your esophagus.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Jean Redsecker Brown, MSN NP
Cardiology
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Lindsay Nicole Bussey, AAS BSN FNP NP
Cardiology
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Susan L. Davis, ACNP-BC BSN MSN
Cardiac Surgery
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Heather Hayes, CRNP
Cardiovascular Disease
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Estelle Darlyse Jean, MD
Cardiology
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Lia Ilona Losonczy, MD
Critical Care Medicine & Emergency Medicine
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Joshua Alan Makepeace, MD
Internal Medicine & Critical Care Medicine
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Cheryl Meyer, AGACNP-BC MSN
Cardiology
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Matthew Joseph Moon, PA
Neurology & Critical Care Medicine
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Alexander Nissen, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Naomi Glenn Peterson, AGACNP DNP
Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology, Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology, Kidney Transplant Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Sheida Zarabi Reimel, MSN NP
Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospital Medicine & Cardiology
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Ioana Andreea Rus, MD
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Kamryn Sheffield, MMS PA
Critical Care Medicine
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Vivek Bahl, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Obinna S Mmagu, DO
Cardiology
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Interventional Cardiology at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 East University Parkway Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6534
MedStar Health: Interventional Cardiology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Main Hospital
110 Irving Street, NW Suite 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
202-877-2799
Additional information
Manage your healthcare
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.