Abstract
We report a case of a 32-year-old male patient who sustained an isolated
stab injury to the left chest wall. He was initially treated with
emergency surgery for right ventricular free wall rupture, with an
uneventful postoperative course. During follow-up, the patient
complained of exercise intolerance and dyspnea on effort. Transthoracic
echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated a previously undiagnosed severe
tricuspid regurgitation due to flail of the anterior leaflet and a
ruptured chorda. A redo operation was scheduled, and the valve was
successfully repaired, with different techniques employed. This case
highlights the importance of careful clinical evaluation of victims of
chest penetrating trauma and how early diagnosis of hidden valvular
lesions might increase the odds of valve repair. It also demonstrates
the clover technique as a valuable technique in the correction of
traumatic tricuspid regurgitation.