Can tricuspid valve regurgitation cause atrial fibrillation?
Patient: My mother is 66 years old, she had experienced a stoke for the third time last year 2010. She had transient ischemic attack last week and we recently discovered she has paroxysmal atrial fibrillation through ekg. She has a history of hypertension and diabetes but these two are well controlled within this year. She had an echocardiogram last August 2010 with mild tricuspid regurgitation. I have these questions: 1. Is atrial fibrillation the cause of my mother's stroke for the past years which was not detected until recently.?  2. Does tricuspid valve regurgitation caused her atrial fibrillation? Doctor: Hey,Regarding the answers to your question1) AF is a very common cause of stroke. It may remain undetected for years and may present first time as stroke when the ecg shows af. So yes it may be old which has caused stroke2) Mild TR generally does not cause any problem and may be physiological in some patients. IT DOES NOT CAUSE AF untill any chamber of the heart is dilated because of significant TR. As your mother is diabetic and hypertensive, she is at high risk of coronary disease, which may cause AF.So ruling out that is also important after she is stabilised. ThanksDr Sameer Maheshwari