Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Malik M, Campos A, Elfeky M, et al. Fetal tricuspid regurgitation. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-71580
Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (also known as tricuspid insufficiency) is a common finding in imaging of the fetus. Tricuspid regurgitation represents the abnormal backflow of blood into the right atrium during right ventricular contraction due to valvular leakage (i.e. it is a valvulopathy).
Tricuspid regurgitation is a common sonographic finding during fetal life and can be seen in 7% of normal fetuses 1.
Associations
Trivial tricuspid regurgitation can be an isolated finding in an otherwise normal fetus with no other structural abnormality 2. It may be associated with aneuploidy and with both cardiac and extracardiac defects 3-5.
Ultrasound
Technique: the pulsed Doppler gate (sample volume of 2-3 mm) should be placed perpendicular across the tricuspid valve in the four-chamber view with the angle of insonation <20°. It is recommended that the sweep speed is set at 200-300 mm/sec. A high sweep speed ensures greater details of the waveform.
Diagnosis is made when the regurgitation jet velocity is at least 80 cm/sec and its interval extends to more than half of systole 7.Color Doppler shows flow in the opposite direction with a different color compared to mitral valve flow with aliasing, denoting high-velocity flow in opposite direction.
Classification
Trivial tricuspid regurgitation
Mild tricuspid regurgitation
Severe tricuspid regurgitation
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1. Wiechec M, Nocun A, Wiercinska E, Beithon J, Knafel A. First Trimester Tricuspid Regurgitation and Fetal Abnormalities. J Perinat Med. 2015;43(5):597-603. doi:10.1515/jpm-2014-0058 - Pubmed
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2. Respondek ML, Kammermeier M, Ludomirsky A et-al. The prevalence and clinical significance of fetal tricuspid valve regurgitation with normal heart anatomy. (1994) American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 171 (5): 1265-70. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(94)90144-9 - Pubmed
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3. Faiola S, Tsoi E, Huggon IC et-al. Likelihood ratio for trisomy 21 in fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation at the 11 to 13 + 6-week scan. (2005) Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 26 (1): 22-7. doi:10.1002/uog.1922 - Pubmed
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4. DeVore G. Trisomy 21: 91% Detection Rate Using Second-Trimester Ultrasound Markers. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2000;16(2):133-41. doi:10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00203.x - Pubmed
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5. Gembruch U, Smrcek JM. The prevalence and clinical significance of tricuspid valve regurgitation in normally grown fetuses and those with intrauterine growth retardation. (1997) Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 9 (6): 374-82. doi:10.1046/j.1469-0705.1997.09060374.x - Pubmed
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6. Messing B, Porat S, Imbar T, Valsky D, Anteby E, Yagel S. Mild Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Benign Fetal Finding at Various Stages of Pregnancy. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2005;26(6):606-9; discussion 610. doi:10.1002/uog.1999 - Pubmed
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7. Kagan K, Valencia C, Livanos P, Wright D, Nicolaides K. Tricuspid Regurgitation in Screening for Trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and Turner Syndrome at 11+0 to 13+6 Weeks of Gestation. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;33(1):18-22. doi:10.1002/uog.6264 - Pubmed
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