Ebstein's anomaly is a congenital heart defect in which the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve are displaced towards the apex of the right ventricle of the heart. It is classified as a critical congenital heart defect^[1] accounting for <1% of all congenital heart defects presenting in ≈1 per 200,000 live births.^[2]

Signs and symptoms[edit]

The annulus of the valve is still in the normal position. The valve leaflets, however, are to a varying degree, attached to the walls and septum of the right ventricle. A subsequent 'atrialization' of a portion of the morphologic right ventricle (which is then contiguous with the right atrium) is seen. This causes the right atrium to be large and the anatomic right ventricle to be small in size.

• Triple or quadruple gallop due to widely split S1 and S2 sounds plus a loud S3 and/or S4
• Systolic murmur of tricuspid regurgitation = Holosystolic or early systolic murmur along the lower left sternal border depending on the severity of the regurgitation
• Right atrial hypertrophy
• Right ventricular conduction defects
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome often accompanies

Related abnormalities[edit]

An anomaly is the difference between the long-term average for different regions of the ocean and what is actually observed by satellites. Since 1992, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission has been taking detailed satellite measurements of the height of the ocean surface for weather, climate, and undersea mapping applications. Anomaly definition, a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form.

While Ebstein's anomaly is defined as the congenital displacement of the tricuspid valve towards the apex of the right ventricle, it is often associated with other abnormalities.

Anatomic abnormalities[edit]

Typically, anatomic abnormalities of the tricuspid valve exist, with enlargement of the anterior leaflet of the valve. The other leaflets are described as being plastered to the endocardium.

About 50% of individuals with Ebstein's anomaly have an associated shunt between the right and left atria, either an atrial septal defect or a patent foramen ovale.^[3]

Electrophysiologic abnormalities[edit]

About 50% of individuals with Ebstein's anomaly have an accessory pathway with evidence of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, secondary to the atrialized right ventricular tissue. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms including atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia.

Other abnormalities that can be seen on the ECG include:

1. signs of right atrial enlargement or tall and broad 'Himalayan' P waves
2. first degree atrioventricular block manifesting as a prolonged PR-interval
3. low amplitude QRS complexes in the right precordial leads
4. atypical right bundle branch block
5. T wave inversion in V1-V4 and Q waves in V1-V4 and II, III and aVF.^[4]

Risk factors[edit]

An enlargement of the aorta may occur; an increased risk of abnormality is seen in babies of women taking lithium during the first trimester of pregnancy^[5] (though some have questioned this)^[6] and in those with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Treatment[edit]

Medication[edit]

Ebstein's cardiophysiology typically presents as an (antidromic) AV reentrant tachycardia with associated pre-excitation. In this setting, the preferred medication treatment agent is procainamide. Since AV-blockade may promote conduction over the accessory pathway, drugs such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin are contraindicated.

If atrial fibrillation with pre-excitation occurs, treatment options include procainamide, flecainide, propafenone, dofetilide, and ibutilide, since these medications slow conduction in the accessory pathway causing the tachycardia and should be administered before considering electrical cardioversion. Intravenous amiodarone may also convert atrial fibrillation and/or slow the ventricular response.

Surgery[edit]

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) recommends surgical intervention for these indications:^[7]

• Limited exercise capacity (NYHA III-IV)
• Increasing heart size (cardiothoracic ratio greater than 65%)
• Important cyanosis (resting oxygen saturation less than 90% - level B)
• Severe tricuspid regurgitation with symptoms
• Transient ischemic attack or stroke

The CCS further recommends patients who require operation for Ebstein's anomaly should be operated on by congenital heart surgeons who have substantial specific experience and success with this operation. Every effort should be made to preserve the native tricuspid valve.^[7]

History[edit]

Ebstein's anomaly was named after Wilhelm Ebstein,^[8][9] who in 1866 described the heart of the 19-year-old Joseph Prescher.

References[edit]

1. ^'Facts About Critical Congenital Heart Defects NCBDDD CDC'. www.cdc.gov. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2017-10-12.
2. ^Jost, Christine H. Attenhofer; Connolly, Heidi M.; Dearani, Joseph A.; Edwards, William D.; Danielson, Gordon K. (2007-01-16). 'Ebstein's Anomaly'. Circulation. 115 (2): 277–285. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.619338. ISSN0009-7322. PMID17228014.
3. ^Mohan, Jagdish C. (2014). A Practical Approach to Clinical Echocardiography. Jaypee Brothers Medical Pub. p. 119. ISBN978-93-5152-140-2.
4. ^Khairy P, Marelli AJ (December 2007). 'Clinical use of electrocardiography in adults with congenital heart disease'. Circulation. 116 (23): 2734–46. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.691568. PMID18056539.
5. ^Attenhofer Jost CH, Connolly HM, Dearani JA, Edwards WD, Danielson GK (2007). 'Ebstein's anomaly'. Circulation. 115 (2): 277–85. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.619338. PMID17228014.
6. ^Yacobi S, Ornoy A (2008). 'Is lithium a real teratogen? What can we conclude from the prospective versus retrospective studies? A review'. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 45 (2): 95–106. PMID18982835.^{[permanent dead link]}
7. ^ ^abSilversides, C. K.; Salehian, O.; Oechslin, E.; Schwerzmann, M.; Vonder Muhll, I.; Khairy, P.; Horlick, E.; Landzberg, M.; Meijboom, F.; Warnes, C.; Therrien, J. (2010). 'Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2009 Consensus Conference on the management of adults with congenital heart disease: Complex congenital cardiac lesions'. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 26 (3): e98–117. doi:10.1016/S0828-282X(10)70356-1. PMC2851473. PMID20352139.
8. ^synd/435 at Who Named It?
9. ^W. Ebstein. Über einen sehr seltenen Fall von Insufficienz der Valvula tricuspidalis, bedingt durch eine angeborene hochgradige Missbildung derselben. Archiv für Anatomie, Physiologie und wissenschaftliche Medicin, Leipzig, 1866, 238-254.

External links[edit]