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Review
. 2012;39(5):668-70.

Tricuspid valve avulsion after blunt chest trauma

Deepak Mehrotra  1 , Paul Dalley, Barry Mahon
Affiliations
Review

Tricuspid valve avulsion after blunt chest trauma

Deepak Mehrotra et al. Tex Heart Inst J. 2012.

Abstract

Blunt cardiac trauma causing tricuspid regurgitation is rare and is most often associated with traffic accidents. Falling from a height can also cause such injuries, resulting in hemodynamic compromise and arrhythmias. The signs of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation can appear early or be delayed, depending upon the severity of injury. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman who fell from a height onto rocks during a hike. She sustained blunt cardiac injury with complete tricuspid valve avulsion, and underwent successful repair. In addition, we review the relevant medical literature.

Keywords: Cardiovascular system/injuries; echocardiography, transesophageal; heart injuries/complications/diagnosis/physiopathology/surgery; time factors; treatment outcome; tricuspid valve/injuries/surgery; wounds, nonpenetrating/diagnosis/physiopathology.

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Figures

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Fig. 1 Transesophageal echocardiograms show A) the ruptured tricuspid valve with severe tricuspid regurgitation and B) the avulsed tricuspid valve and papillary muscles. RA = right atrium; RV = right ventricle
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Fig. 2 A) Intraoperative photograph shows completely avulsed papillary muscles and a free-floating anterior leaflet. B) Photograph of excised specimen shows avulsion of the tricuspid valve apparatus, with papillary muscle necrosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms