TRAUMATIC TRICUSPID REGURGITATION WITH CYANOSIS - DIAGNOSIS BY TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

This case report demonstrates the utility of transesophageal echocardi ography in the rapid diagnosis of a cardiac injury from blunt thoracic trauma. Initial transesophageal echocardiography identified a flail t ricuspid valve leaflet and regurgitation in a patient with jugular ven ous distention and hemodynamic instability. Progressive hypoxemia prom pted repeat transesophageal echocardiography with contrast enhancement , which revealed opening of the foramen ovale and a right-to-left inte ratrial shunt. Operative repair of the lesion was lifesaving.