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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
[Clinical practice: Ebstein's anomaly]
Sabino Scardi1, Biancamaria D'Agata, Carlo Giansante
1Scuola di Specializzazione in Cardiologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche, Morfologiche e Tecnologiche, Università degli Studi, Trieste. sabino.scardi@libero.it
Insights
Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect affecting the tricuspid valve. Understanding its anatomy, diagnosis, and prognosis is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Cardiac Malformations
Background:
- Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect, accounting for less than 1% of all cardiac malformations.
- It involves malformation of the tricuspid valve leaflets, affecting their normal movement and function.
- Associated cardiac abnormalities can frequently coexist with Ebstein's anomaly.
Observation:
- The tricuspid valve, typically with three leaflets, exhibits malformed leaflets in Ebstein's anomaly.
- One to two leaflets may be adhered to the heart wall, restricting normal leaflet motion.
- These anatomical variations lead to significant hemodynamic alterations.
Findings:
- Accurate recognition requires understanding the diverse anatomical, hemodynamic, and clinical variables.
- Echocardiographic features are essential for diagnosis and assessing disease severity.
- Natural history, diagnostic criteria, and classification aid in patient stratification.
Implications:
- Proper management, whether surgical or non-surgical, depends on a thorough understanding of the condition.
- Knowledge of prognosis guides treatment decisions and patient follow-up.
- This review synthesizes current understanding for improved clinical recognition and management strategies.
Abstract:
Ebstein's anomaly is a rare malformation of the tricuspid valve that has anatomopathologic and clinical implications, accounting for < 1% of all cardiac malformations. Usually, the tricuspid valve has three leaflets and, if Ebstein's anomaly occurs, such leaflets are malformed: one-two leaflets are stuck to the wall of the heart so that they cannot move normally, furthermore other abnormalities can also coexist. Therefore, the awareness of the different anatomical, hemodynamic and clinical variables of Ebstein's anomaly is crucial to treat properly, surgically or not, such malformation. The present paper takes into account current natural history, diagnostic criteria and classification, echocardiographic features, and prognosis useful to the accurate recognition and management options of Ebstein's anomaly.
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