A Flail Tricuspid Valve

A 30-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of palpitations. He had a life-threatening liver rupture five years earlier, after a massive uncontrolled explosion of a big bunch of fireworks. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation due to a flail anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Transesophageal echocardiography had an additive imaging value in demonstrating additionally a flail posterior leaflet. Flail tricuspid valve causing severe regurgitation is usually due to mechanical trauma. Since it is well tolerated for years, the diagnosis may be delayed or missed entirely. Echocardiography has allowed easier diagnosis of this condition resulting in earlier and, hence, more effective treatment.