Hypoproteinemia caused by tricuspid regurgitation: Report of a case

A case of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) complicated by severe hypoproteinemi a is presented herein. A 68-year-old man who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for postinfarction angina suffered repeated inferior myocardial infarction due to obstruction of the proximal right coronary ar tery, 3 Sears after which he developed systemic edema. Investigations revea led TR associated with hypoproteinemia; however, treatment consisting of ag gressive diuretic therapy and albumin administration proved ineffective, Th e hypoproteinemia manifested as protein-losing enteropathy clinically, and the tricuspid valve was replaced to eliminate high venous pressure. The ser um protein levels became normalized after the operation. Although TR is gen erally well tolerated in the absence of pulmonary hypertension, surgical ma nagement is recommended for patients with severe protein deficiency resista nt to medical treatment.