Aetiology of tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is regarded as a secondary disorder. Aim of the study was to know what percentage is secondary to heart and lung disease and its prevalence in normal adults. METHODS Two hundred and 30 adults with clinically detectable TR were studied clinically to know the cause of TR. RESULTS Thirteen percent of the adults were normal without any detectable cause for TR. In others, 24% of TR cases were secondary to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension was found in 14% cases. Sixteen percent had rheumatic heart disease (RHD) while chronic obstructive lung disease was found in 23% cases. The rest of 10% cases of TR had cardiomyopathy (CMP) and congenital heart disease as secondary causes. CONCLUSION Ischemic heart disease, COPD and hypertension are common causes of TR. Others include RHD, CMP and congenital heart disease. Thirteen percent of apparently normal adults had TR.