Enlarged right ventricle / Tricuspid regurgitation

[Ella186]

I am 39 and recently went for a regular heart checkup due to a murmur and after an EKG, an echocardiogram and an MRI, I was told my right ventricle is enlarged and my tricuspid valve is not closing properly. My heart functions on the left side are all normal, right ventricle and atrium size are normal, no holds in septum or anywhere in my heart. No problems in any other valves.
My cardiologist told me that he didn't know what started first, the tricuspid valve failing or the ventricle getting bigger and cause the regurgitation but suggested that I go through surgery to fix it. After reading a lot in the internet, my concern is since we don't know what is causing my right ventricle to enlarge, what will guarantee that fixing the tricuspid valve will fix the problem. Is there a way to determine the cause of the problem?
Not sure if the fact that I had a lot of fever and colds like sympton when I was a kid, contributed to this problem. If so, what sign should I be looking for?

[ed34]

You will be nervous, you are human :)  They will likely be using the Da Vinci Robot which is a fantastic device. Incisions are about the size of a finger tip and heal very quickly, with very little discomfort. I wish they had used one of those machines on me for my bypass. Please will you let us know your experiences when you are well enough?  You won't need it, but I really wish you all the luck in the world.

[Ella186]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been so busy lately running around...Yes, he will perform a robotic surgery which I understand is faster healing time and less risky. I am just taking it one day at a time. I get a lot of anxiety when I think about it

[ed34]

If he is confident it can be repaired, then that's good, it's better to have repair rather than replacement because the results are longer lasting. Have they offered any form of minimally invasive surgery? for example a Right thoracotomy where they make just a small incision in the right side of the rib cage?

[Ella186]

Thank you for your response, it make sense, I saw the surgeon today and he suggested surgery to fix the valve as well, since all the test reveal no problems on the left size, most likely the valve started failing first but he doesn't know the reason why but fixing it most likely will correct it. So nervous right now.

[ed34]

Truly a problem for your cardiologist because it could be that the enlargement has forced your valve out of shape, making it leak. It could be the reverse, where the leaking valve has caused enlargement of the right ventricle. I presume they have looked at your pulmonary system and Lungs to establish the blood pathway is not restricted in any way. I also assume they have established there has been no heart attack on the right side of the heart. If such tests have revealed nothing, then the only reason remaining for the heart being enlarged on the right side is due to the valve leaking. It would have adapted by increasing volume, to get sufficient blood out through the pulmonary system, through the lungs to keep your blood oxygenated. Now comes another possible problem, but there are no details. If the dilation of the right side is affecting the valve now, pushing it out of shape, then I would have a serious discussion with the cardiac surgeon. I would ask "when the dilation reduces, after the valve repair, could the valve shape alter again, making another leak, requiring further surgery"?
Whatever the reply, it would seem that the obvious path is to have the repair anyway because the right side is having to work too hard. Eventually the muscle will become so ineffective due to over sizing that it will enter heart failure stage.