In tricuspid valve regurgitation (also known as leaky heart valve), the tricuspid valve does not close properly resulting in blood leaking backwards from the right ventricle into the right atrium.

(Above) Illustration of a heart with normal valve versus a heart with tricuspid valve regurgitation

The tricuspid valve separates the two chambers on the right side of the heart. It allows bloods to flow from the right upper chamber (right atrium) to the right lower chamber (right ventricle) of the heart without significant backflow.

When the tricuspid valve regurgitation becomes severe, it can lead to congestion in various organs such as the liver and the kidney, and affect their function. Severe tricuspid regurgitation has been shown to be associated with significant mortality and morbidity.