Complications
Postoperative complications following tricuspid valve repair or replacement include pneumothorax, haemothorax, pericardial tamponade, and arrhythmias (including third-degree atrioventricular block).
Appropriate therapy for pneumothorax or haemothorax is placement of a chest tube.
Pericardial tamponade is relieved by re-opening the chest and evacuating blood and thrombus.
Arrhythmias are treated with appropriate anti-arrhythmic medicines and third-degree atrioventricular block is treated with atrioventricular synchronous pacing using temporary atrial and ventricular pacing wires (placed intra-operatively).
Dysplastic valves and prosthetic valves are prone to endocarditis (particularly associated with high-risk dental procedures).
If a patient develops endocarditis, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be instituted immediately and continued for a full 6-week course.[2]
Mechanical valves may fail due to thrombosis. In order to prevent this complication, patients are treated with anticoagulant therapy (e.g., warfarin).[51]
If a mechanical valve fails in the closed position, the patient will present with signs and symptoms of acute, severe tricuspid stenosis (TS). If the valve fails in the open position, the patient will present with signs and symptoms of acute, severe tricuspid regurgitation.
Bioprosthetic valves may fail due to progressive calcification and patients may develop signs and symptoms of either TS or regurgitation.
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