PANCE Qbank

Tricuspid regurgitation is a valvular disorder that occurs when there is retrograde blood flow from the right ventricle to the right atrium during systole. The underlying pathophysiology is a right-sided pressure overload leading to right-sided heart failure. Common causes of tricuspid regurgitation include congenital abnormalities of the tricuspid valve, structural abnormalities resulting from infection, and chronic pulmonary hypertension. Pacemaker lead placement is an increasingly common iatrogenic cause of tricuspid regurgitation. As tricuspid regurgitation persists, right-sided cardiomegaly, systemic venous congestion, and eventually right-sided heart failure ensue. Signs of severe tricuspid regurgitation are associated with systemic venous congestion and include distended, pulsating neck veins, a pulsatile enlarged liver, and anasarca. On cardiac auscultation, tricuspid regurgitation is a pansystolic murmur that becomes louder with inspiration and reduced with expiration or Valsalva maneuver. It is best heard at the left lower sternal border and radiates to the right lower sternal border. Chest radiography may show an enlarged right heart border. ECG findings include right-axis deviation, P wave changes indicating right atrial enlargement, and R and S wave changes indicating right ventricular hypertrophy. Definitive diagnostic methods for tricuspid regurgitation include echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Valvular regurgitations are classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on a variety of measurements obtained from diagnostic measures. Since most cases of tricuspid regurgitation are secondary, treatment of the underlying cause should be considered first. Patients with mild or moderate tricuspid regurgitation may be managed with oral diuretics (e.g., furosemide). Moderate tricuspid regurgitation warrants a cardiology consult. Severe tricuspid regurgitation may require IV diuretics such as torsemide. Spironolactone may be used if ascites is present along with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Severe cases require regular monitoring by a cardiologist. Valvular repair may be indicated in patients with tricuspid valve endocarditis. Patients with refractory symptoms due to inherent defects may need a tricuspid valve replacement.

A harsh midsystolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur radiating to the left shoulder (A) and neck that is best heard at the second to third left intercostal space is associated with pulmonic stenosis. An early pulmonic ejection sound is common. A loud midsystolic murmur best heard with the patient sitting and leaning forward (B) is associated with aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is best heard at the second right intercostal space and radiates to the neck and left sternal border. A pansystolic murmur with prolonged apical impulse (D) that is best heard at the apex and radiating to the left axilla is associated with mitral regurgitation.