The tricuspid valve regulates blood flow from the heart’s upper right chamber (right atrium) to the lower right chamber (right ventricle). The valve’s role is to ensure blood flows in a forward direction from the right atrium to the ventricle. Any abnormal function of the tricuspid valve is known as tricuspid valve disease.
VADs (ventricular assist devices) are mechanical devices that help your heart pump blood to the rest of your body when other methods don't relieve heart failure symptoms. LVADs, the most common type of VAD, are used to support the left side of the heart, but RVADs may be used to support the right side of the heart as well. The University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center is home to one of the largest VAD programs in the country, and is one of only a few institutions worldwide that has access to many investigational and FDA-approved mechanical circulatory support devices.
