[Ultrasonic diagnosis of defects of the tricuspid valve]

Experience with echocardiographic diagnosis of a tricuspid defect, using one- and two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, is reviewed. Dopplerography is the most informative method for the detection of tricuspid incompetence that enables auscultatory determination and graphical recording of blood regurgitation from the right ventricle to the right atrium. A classification of tricuspid incompetence on the basis of its markedness as assessed by dopplerography is proposed. Dopplerography can also be used for tricuspid valve monitoring and the assessment of early and late results of tricuspid annuloplasty.