Ag. Martin et al., Congenital dysplasia of the tricuspid valve (Ebstein like) in a 73 year-old male with severe tricuspid regurgitation, REV ESP CAR, 53(7), 2000, pp. 1008-1010
Multiple congenital abnormalities in the structure of the tricuspid valve h
ave been described and, the majority of cases could be considered as variat
ions of Ebstein's anomaly. The onset of the symptoms and the diagnosis depe
nd on the severity of the valve dysfunction and the tight ventricular funct
ion and size. The age at diagnosis ranges from birth to adulthood, but a de
layed diagnosis is rare when tricuspid regurgitation is severe. We cite as
an example the case of a 73 year-old male classified as class I of the NYHA
up to 5 months before, since then he developed progressive ascitis and ede
ma on his legs. The physical examination suggested severe tricuspid regurgi
tation. We performed a transtoracic and transesophageal ecocardiogram that
showed severe dysplasia in the tricuspid leaflets, severe regurgitation bec
ause of lack of adequate joining, dilatation of right chambers and right ve
ntricular systolic dysfunction.