Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia at Fetal Autopsy

Abstract

Introduction: Tricuspid valve abnormalities detected in fetal life include Ebstein anomaly and tricuspid valve dysplasia. The differentiation between these 2 entities can sometimes be challenging in the 2nd trimester fetus. We report a case of tricuspid valve dysplasia diagnosed on fetal autopsy. Case Report: A primigravida was diagnosed at 22 weeks’ gestation to have Ebstein anomaly with severe tricuspid regurgitation. There was intra-uterine fetal demise. On fetal autopsy, the tricuspid valve leaflets were not apically displaced and the leaflets were nodular with rolled up edges. This supported a diagnosis of tricuspid valve dysplasia. Conclusion: The difficulties in differentiating Ebstein anomaly from tricuspid valve dysplasia due to inherent limitations in fetal imaging can be resolved by fetal autopsy. Valvular dysplasia will not have apical displacement of the valve leaflets.

Keywords:

• Tricuspid valve pathology
• fetal autopsy
• congenital heart disease

Compliance with ethical standards

Competing interests

The authors report no conflict of interest with regards to this study

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors