Tricuspid valve stenosis is a heart defect present at birth in some infants. “In this condition, the tricuspid valve is narrowed, decreasing the amount of blood that can flow through it from the right atrium to the right ventricle.”[1]
When blood flow to the right ventricle is limited, the amount of blood that can be pumped from the heart to the lungs is in turn limited, thus reducing the chance internal organs can get all the oxygen required for healthy life.
In most cases, primary symptoms associated with tricuspid valve stenosis are arrhythmia,[2] “discomfort in the neck … fatigue and cold skin”[3].
Usually, medication can be sufficient for treating tricuspid valve stenosis, but in very extreme cases, surgery may be required to replace the dysfunctional valve.[4] Sadly, however, there is no cure for tricuspid valve stenosis: the only way to be entirely safe from tricuspid valve stenosis is to prevent it.
Due to the recently discovered association between congenital (present at birth) tricuspid valve stenosis and maternal use of SSRI drugs such as Paxil® and Zoloft® during pregnancy, one important way to ensure that your child is not born with tricuspid valve stenosis is to avoid all SSRI drugs during pregnancy.
We Can Help
Because expecting mothers using SSRIs, especially Paxil® and Zoloft®, were not made aware of the possibility that their child may be born with tricuspid valve stenosis, Paxil® and Zoloft® heart defect lawsuits are currently being filed to secure compensation for families suffering from SSRI-induced injury. If you used Paxil® or Zoloft® during pregnancy and your child was born with tricuspid valve stenosis, please do not hesitate to contact our lawyers by phone at (855) 452-5529 or by e-mail at justinian@dangerousdrugs.us for a free consultation. We have the compassion, skills, and resources required to provide the justice your family deserves.
[1] “Tricuspid valve disease – Diagnosis and treatment at Mayo Clinic” Mayo Clinic. © 2001 – 2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Available at <http://www.mayoclinic.org/tricuspid-valve-disease/> Accessed 23 January 2013
[2] “Tricuspid Stenosis Medication” Mancini, M.C., et al. Medscape Reference © 1994 – 2013 WebMD LLC. Available at <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/158604-medication#2> Updated 1 July 2011, Accessed 23 January 2013
[3] “Tricuspid Stenosis: Valvular Disorders: Merck Manual Professional” The Merck Manual © 2010-2011 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Available at <http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular_disorders/valvular_disorders/tricuspid_stenosis.html> Updated December 2012, Guy P. Armstrong. Accessed 23 January 2013
[4] Ibid.