Tricuspid stenosis
Tricuspid stenosis is more common in women, and most cases are caused by rheumatic fever. However, rheumatic tricuspid stenosis alone is extremely rare, and is almost always accompanied by mitral and/or aortic valve lesions, and tricuspid regurgitation. Pathological changes include fibrosis and thickening of the valve, growth of vegetation on the edges, adhesion or fusion of the three valves, and formation of a triangular narrow valve hole. The lesions may also extend to the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. After the stenosis is formed, blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle is obstructed, so the right atrium expands and the pressure increases. Due to the obstruction of vena cava return, venous pressure rises for a long time, showing signs such as distended neck veins, hepatomegaly, ascites, and edema of the limbs. The right ventricle shrinks due to reduced blood flow. When accompanied by mitral valve disease, the right ventricle may hypertrophy.