Cross-sectional echocardiographic features of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve

Multicrystal real time-motion echocardiographic studies of 10 patients with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve are reported. Eight patients also underwent hemodynamic and angiographic study. All but one of the patients had inferior and leftward displacement of the tricuspid valve. In seven patients multiple echoes were obtained from the tricuspid valve; all seven manifested elongated tricuspid valve leaflets, and in six the leaflets were thickened. Excessive excursion of the tricuspid valve was noted in five patients and a "whipping" motion seen in three. Nonspecific findings in nine patients included an increased right ventricular dimension and systolic anterior septal motion. Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography provides distinctive diagnostic findings that are specific for Ebstein's anomaly.