A case report on a reconstructive operation of a traumatic tricuspid regurgitation with a congenital defect of the left pericardium

We reported a successful tricuspid valve replacement in a 58-years old man, who had easy fatiguability after 14 years of a blunt chest trauma. The preoperative examination revealed a marked cardiomegaly with deformation of both ventricles and grade 4 tricuspid regurgitation caused by the prolapse of the anterior leaflet. The operative inspection revealed a left pericardial defect with a diameter of 10 cm and a torn anterior papillary muscle. Since a usual plastic procedure did not improve the regurgitation, a Carpentier-Edward bioprosthetic valve was implanted in the supra annular position. Atrioventricular conduction was preserved. The tricuspid valve was not resected to preserve the ventricular function. The patient recovered his own activity.