aetiology

Last reviewed 11/2021

Causes include :

  • functional causes where there is no disease of the valve leaflets - right ventricular failure, right ventricular enlargement
  • rheumatic heart disease - rarely affects just the tricuspid valve. If it is due to rheumatic fever it usually occurs in association with mitral valve disease
  • infective endocarditis - right sided endocarditis in IV drug abusers
  • congenital e.g. Ebstein's anomaly
  • right ventricular papillary muscle infarction
  • trauma e.g. a blow on the sternum in a motor car accident
  • carcinoid syndrome