Valve Disease

Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Expert second opinions for tricuspid regurgitation. Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

Moderate-severe TR in 1.6 million Americans
Prevalence
Severe TR: 36% 1-year mortality
Key Outcome
Historically undertreated — paradigm shifting
Procedures
Quick Answer

Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) is increasingly recognized as an independent predictor of poor outcomes. If you are facing a decision about tricuspid regurgitation, an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding tricuspid regurgitation.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is increasingly recognized as an independent predictor of poor outcomes. Long considered a benign bystander, moderate-to-severe TR is associated with significantly reduced survival. The tricuspid valve has been called the "forgotten valve" because it is so frequently undertreated.

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

Tricuspid valve surgery is undergoing a revolution. New transcatheter devices (TriClip, EVOQUE) offer options for patients too high-risk for surgery. Concurrent tricuspid repair during left-sided valve surgery is increasingly recommended but still frequently omitted. A second opinion can identify missed opportunities for intervention.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for tricuspid regurgitation.

Concurrent tricuspid repair during left-sided surgery
Isolated tricuspid surgery: repair vs replacement
Transcatheter tricuspid intervention candidacy
Timing of intervention (before irreversible RV dysfunction)
Annuloplasty technique selection
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

Right ventricular function
Pulmonary hypertension
Hepatic congestion and dysfunction
Atrial fibrillation
Prior left-sided valve surgery
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for tricuspid regurgitation?

Surgery for tricuspid regurgitation depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. Tricuspid valve surgery is undergoing a revolution. New transcatheter devices (TriClip, EVOQUE) offer options for patients too high-risk for surgery. Concurrent tricuspid repair during left-sided valve surgery is increasingly recommended but still frequently omitted. A second opinion can identify missed opportunities for intervention.

What are the risks of tricuspid regurgitation surgery?

Operative mortality for tricuspid regurgitation-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before tricuspid regurgitation surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for tricuspid regurgitation?

The optimal treatment for tricuspid regurgitation depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. Concurrent tricuspid repair during left-sided surgery. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease — Tricuspid/Pulmonary Section. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77(4):e25-e197.
  2. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  3. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

Reading on tricuspid regurgitation

See all articles →
Treatment Options
Tricuspid Valve Surgery: What Patients Need to Know About TR Repair Options and Treatment

Tricuspid regurgitation is often called the 'forgotten valve disease,' but left untreated it can lead to serious complications. Dr. Rahul Handa explains tricuspid valve surgery options, when treatment is necessary, and how to make informed decisions about TR repair.

Rahul R. Handa, MD · May 23, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used risk calculators in cardiac surgery worldwide. Learn what the European cardiac surgery risk score actually measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and why understanding your score matters before you consent to an operation.

Serrie Lico, MD · May 24, 2026
Diagnostics
Cardiac Stress Test Results: What Your Exercise Echo or Nuclear Stress Test Actually Means

A world-class imaging cardiologist explains how to read and understand your cardiac stress test results — whether you had an exercise stress echo, nuclear stress test, or pharmacologic study. Learn what abnormal findings really mean for your heart and what comes next.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 23, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used cardiac surgery risk calculators in the world. As a cardiovascular surgeon, I explain what this European risk score measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and what patients need to understand before surgery.

Rahul R. Handa, MD · May 22, 2026

Related conditions.

Pulmonary Valve Disease
Mechanical Valve Anticoagulation
Ross Procedure
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation

Get an expert opinion on your tricuspid regurgitation.

WhiteGloveMD delivers a dual-physician, AI-augmented second opinion in 24 hours. Starting at $500.

Start Your Review Try the Risk Calculator