[Isolated rheumatic tricuspid insufficiency (author's transl)]

Insufficiency on the tricuspid valve alone due to cardioarticular rheumatism is a rare condition. A 12-year-old boy had had six episodes of rheumatic fever over the previous 5 years. The only damage done to the heart was insufficiency of the tricuspid valve; none of the other valves were affected. The phonocardiographic response to the amyl nitrate and methoxamine tests as well as the correct evaluation of the jugular phlebogram confirmed the diagnosis of this valve pathology. The study of this heart condition was completed with the diagnosis of rheumatic fever (Jones' criteria, modified) and an angiohemodynamic evaluation of the patient (which must include left and right ventriculography using a Bourassa catheter on the right). This pathology is extremely rare and we have found no reference to it in the literature in this country.