[Ebstein's anomaly related with significant pericardial effusion. Report and analysis of a case]

Ebstein's anomaly is a malformation of the tricuspid valve characterized from the clinical view point by dysnea, evolutive cyanosis and fatigue. Is it characterized anatomically by a downward displacement of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle due to anomalous attachment of the tricuspid leaflets. Because of the abnormally situated tricuspid orifice, a portion of the right ventricle lies between the atrioventricular ring and the origin of the valve, that is, an "atrialized" segment of the ventricle, and they have a functionally small ventricular chamber. Roentgenographic studies, usually demonstrate a characteristic enlarged heart. The globular-shaped heart on a chest X-ray may closely resemble the picture usually associated with a large pericardial effusion. The ecocardiographic study is more specific for the differential diagnosis, and usually eliminates one pathology but confirms the other. The patient that we are presenting is unusual, and, as far as we know, it is the only in the literature case in which there is a coexistence of the important pericardial effusion and the Ebstein's anomaly. We review the functional abnormalities of the right ventricle with Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography in this patient.