Systolic flutter of the tricuspid valve associated with massive pulmonary embolism

We describe a patient with massive pulmonary embolism and resultant acute cor pulmonale and severe tricuspid incompetence. Fine systolic tricuspid valve flutter was detected by echocardiography during the acute phase, but the flutter disappeared as the patient improved clinically and the signs of tricuspid incompetence were no longer observed. Systolic flutter of tricuspid valve may serve as a useful clue in treating patients with severe tricuspid incompetence due to acute cor pulmonale.