title: Traumatic tricuspid regurgitation with cyanosis: diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography.
abstract: This case report demonstrates the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the rapid diagnosis of cardiac injury from blunt thoracic trauma. Initial transesophageal echocardiography identified a flail tricuspid valve leaflet and regurgitation in a patient with jugular venous distention and hemodynamic instability. Progressive hypoxemia prompted repeat transesophageal echocardiography with contrast enhancement, which revealed opening of the foramen ovale and a right-to-left interatrial shunt. Operative repair of the lesion was lifesaving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shindler
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Boyarsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003490:Cyanosis; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications