Improvement of the left ventricular function after tricuspid valve plasty for traumatic tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract

Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a rare cardiovascular complication in chest trauma. Changes in the left ventricle (LV) function after operation are unclear. A 61-year-old woman who had been involved in a traffic accident 1 month earlier presented with exertional dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) accompanied by LV dysfunction due to anterior leaflet prolapse with papillary muscle rupture. After tricuspid plasty, the LV function improved, as evidenced by TTE and speckle tracking echocardiography. In conclusion, the early diagnosis of traumatic TR is important, and early surgical intervention might be effective for achieving ventricular function improvement.