Prosthetic valve replacement for traumatic tricuspid insufficiency: Report of a case originally diagnosed as ebstein's malformation

A case of a patient with traumatic tricuspid insufficiency previously believed to have Ebstein's malformation with a patent foramen ovale is presented. Although the onset of symptoms rather late in life was hard to reconcile with the diagnosis of Ebstein's malformation, the symptoms themselves and the cardiac catheterization data had indicated the presence of this congenital lesion. At operation in 1954, a patent foramen ovale was closed, and the patient's symptoms decreased significantly. The tricuspid valve was not visualized or repaired at that time. In 1967 reoperation was advised because of increasing cardiac disability. Awareness of the entity of traumatic tricuspid insufficiency and improved diagnostic and operative techniques now allowed correct diagnosis and treatment. A brief resume of the entity of isolated traumatic tricuspid insufficiency is also included with this report.