Critical tricuspid insufficiency due to papillary muscle rupture. A result of prenatal hypoxic insult
A. L. Alkalay, D. A. Ferry, S. H. Pepkowitz, P. J. Chou, G. K. Oakes and J. J. Pomerance
Department of Pediatrics, University of California School of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles 90048.
Fatal tricuspid insufficiency secondary to papillary muscle rupture due to
prenatal hypoxic insult occurred in a full-term newborn. The diagnosis of
flail tricuspid valve should be considered when fetal distress is
encountered in a newborn with persistent hypoxemia. Prenatal diagnosis of
this condition combined with prompt delivery, prostaglandin E1 therapy, and
possible surgical repair of the tricuspid valve may improve chances of
survival.
