Successful replacement of the tricuspid valve 10 years after traumatic incompetence

Abstract

We have reported the case of a 45 year old man with traumatic tricuspid incompetence of 10 years' duration. Following insertion of a tricuspid Starr-Edwards valve there was diuresis, a weight loss of 18 lb. and disappearance of the signs of tricuspid incompetence and of the symptoms of low cardiac output. The patient died suddenly of an acute cerebrovascular accident nine months later. The hemodynamic consequences of severe tricuspid incompetence include low cardiac output, equal right atrial and right ventricular pressures, increased blood volume but normal end-diastolic pressure in the right ventricle. Rupture of the tricuspid valve is less common than that of the mitral valve, yet the clinical course is more benign.