[Rupture of the tricuspid cordae simulating a right intraventricular tumor]

Ruptured chordae tendinae of the tricuspid valve is exceptional. It results in an intense valvular incompetence through systolic eversion of one leaflet. In fact, this is not always the case, and in patient reported, the clinical picture suggested an obstacle to right ventricular ejection with paroxysmal phenomena of the faintness type, indicating the temporary obstruction of the pulmonary pathway. Right cine-angiocardiography demonstrated a mobile intraventricular neoformationreaching in systole the pulmonary sub-valvar area. No tumour was found on operation. The patient died in the post-operative period. On post-mortem examination there was a rupture of tricuspid chordae tendinae and a raise of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve into the pulmonary infundibulum. Rupture could be related to a severe thoracic trauma which had occurred 17 years previously.