tricuspid valve replacement

Posted By M. Stclair on February 26, 1998 at 18:16:06:









I have congestive heart failure due to a damaged tricuspid valve; it has a 3+ regurgiatation.  I am taking lasix, 120 mg, 2 times per day.  I am very tired, even with the diuretics and occasionally have a lot of edema in spite of the diuretics and diet and fluid modifications.  My cardiologist tells me that tricuspid valve replacements are not usually succesful and that this problem is best managed with diuretics alone.  He has recently started me on digoxin.  I also have mild restrictive disease from past radiation therapy treatments.  Do you have any information on the success rate of tricuspid valve replacement surgeries or any advice on other possible treatments?  Thanks!