heart enlargment/right side

my partner has had a tricuspit valve replacement with a tissue valve. she has come through it all good but when she went back to the doctor 16 months after she still has an right side of her heart. will this fail her or will she be able to live with comfortably for a long time she is 25 years of age

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Ernie,

Sorry to this -- she is very young to have open heart surgery.

Tricuspid valves very rarely need replacment -- it must have been pretty leaky.  We do not do a lot of sole tricuspid valve replacements.  There are usually other valves that need repairing, although I have seen a few.  The short and long term prognosis depends on the condition of her right ventricle before and after surgery as well as how successful the valve replacement was.

There are too many variables to predict the success without seeing the studies. I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[duane's wife]

My husband had a mechanicle valve and pacemaker June 2004- had a couple of blackouts 2005- defibrillator w/pacemaker and pulsing sensor fall of 2005-had suggested right vent.displa.-no blackouts since...but breathing seems difficult rather easily...is this common?