Tricuspid atresia

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Tricuspid atresia is a heart defect present at birth (congenital) in which one of the valves (tricuspid valve) between two of the heart's chambers isn't formed. Instead, there's solid tissue between the chambers.

If your baby is born with tricuspid atresia, blood can't flow through the heart and into the lungs to pick up oxygen as it normally would. The result is the lungs can't supply the rest of your baby's body with the oxygen it needs. Babies with tricuspid atresia tire easily, are often short of breath and have blue-tinged skin.

Tricuspid atresia is treated with surgery. Most babies with tricuspid atresia who have surgery will live well into adulthood, though follow-up surgeries are often needed.

References
  1. Sondheimer HM, et al. Cardiovascular diseases. In: Hay WW Jr, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3402846. Accessed April 28, 2010.
  2. Single-ventricle defects. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=11072. Accessed April 28, 2010.
  3. Harris IS, et al. Congenital heart disease in adults. In: Crawford MH. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Cardiology. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009 http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3649722. Accessed April 28, 2010.
  4. Keane JF, et al. Tricuspid atresia: Clinical manifestations. In: Keane JF, et al. Nadas' Pediatric Cardiology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2390-6..50050-7--cesec5&uniq=198820213&isbn=978-1-4160-2390-6&sid=991370226. Accessed April 30, 2010.
  5. Congenital heart defects. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1212.asp. Accessed April 28, 2010.
  6. Tricuspid atresia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch287/ch287i.html. Accessed April 28, 2010.
  7. Sittiwangkul R, et al. Outcomes of tricuspid atresia in the Fontan era. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2004;77:889.
  8. Berg C, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of tricuspid atresia: Intrauterine course and outcome. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;35:183.
DS00796 July 21, 2010

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