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Asymmetrically short tendinous cords causing congenital tricuspid regurgitation: improved understanding of tricuspid valvar dysplasia in the era of color flow echocardiography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Doff B. McElhinney*
Affiliation:
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Norman H. Silverman
Affiliation:
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Michael M. Brook
Affiliation:
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Frank L. Hanley
Affiliation:
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Paul Stanger
Affiliation:
Divisions of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
*
Doff B. McElhinney, MD, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Tel: (215)590–1000; Fax: (215) 590–2768

Abstract

Background

Tricuspid regurgitation as a manifestation of an isolated congenital anomaly of the tricuspid valve is rare. Cross-sectional and color Doppler echocardiography allow improved evaluation of tricuspid valvar function. As a result, the heterogeneous category of congenital tricuspid valvar dysplasia may be better understood from a functional point of view. We are reporting a distinct entity in which tricuspid valvar regurgitation results from failure of coaptation due to short tendinous cords tethering the septal leaflet.

Patients and Results

Three children with significant primary tricuspid regurgitation were evaluated, treated, and followed. On echocardiographic evaluation, a central regurgitant jet of moderate or severe degree was directed toward the atrial septum through poorly coapting tricuspid valvar leaflets, which did not approximate due to tethering of the septal leaflet by abnormally short cords. In one patient, the tricuspid valve was otherwise normal; in the other two the leaflets and cords were also thickened. Two patients underwent surgery at 9 and 11 years of age. The cords tethering the septal leaflet were augmented by interposing appropriate lengths of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene suture and performing commissural annuloplasty. Both patients are asymptomatic 33 and 42 months postoperatively, with mild residual tricuspid regurgitation that has not changed since surgery. The other patient, an 8 month-old infant, has not yet undergone surgery.

Conclusions

Asymmetric tendinous cords of the tricuspid valve causing tethering of the septal leaflet is a distinct cause of tricuspid regurgitation that can be recognized with echocardiography. Although rare, the importance of recognizing this lesion lies in its being readily amenable to surgical repair.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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