What is Tricuspid Atresia?

Also known as: TA.

In the normal heart, the tricuspid valve is the opening that controls the flow of blood between the right atrium (where the blood enters the heart) and the right ventricle (where the blood leaves for the lungs).

Tricuspid atresia is a problem with the development of the right side of the heart where this valve has not developed, with a smaller than normal lower right pumping chamber (right ventricle). Because of this  valve blockage to the flow of blood, the body receives blood with less oxygen in it than it needs.

There is usually an associated  hole between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (right atrium and left atrium) called an atrial septal defect.

---

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM