Causative & risk factors
Tricuspid atresia is a congenital condition. As with most congenital heart diseases, the cause is not known. Family history of congenital heart disease increases the risk of being born with tricuspid atresia.
Pregnant women who drink alcohol, take unsafe medications, have poorly controlled gestational diabetes, or who were infected with rubella or other viral infections are at a high risk of having a baby with tricuspid atresia.
Babies with Down’s syndrome have a higher risk of tricuspid atresia.
Clinical presentation
The symptoms of tricuspid atresia are apparent shortly after birth of the baby. The baby has cyanosis or bluish discoloration of the lips and skin. He/she is dyspneic (breathless) and tires easily while breastfeeding. Their growth is also delayed.
Babies who develop heart failure as a result of tricuspid atresia will have additional symptoms of the same.
Investigations
Before birth, a routine ultrasound exam during gestation can detect tricuspid atresia.
After birth, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram reveal the absence of a tricuspid valve and a smaller than normal right ventricle.
Treatment
Treatment includes surgical procedures like:
Atrial septostomy – dilates the opening between left and right atrium so that more blood can flow through.
Shunting – A bypass is created from the aorta to the pulmonary arteries in order to maintain sufficient blood supply to the lung.
A single procedure is usually not enough and the baby may need further surgery once he grows up.
