A 69-year-old woman presented with a pelvic mass as well as a 6-month history of progressive bilateral peripheral oedema with more recent breathlessness and abdominal distension. She was found to have significant right heart failure (RHF) which was extensively investigated. No significant lung disease or pulmonary embolism was identified to explain the findings. Severe tricuspid incompetence was thus thought to be secondary to the systemic effects of a carcinoid tumour, confirmed to be ovarian in origin (on positron emission tomography/CT scan and histopathology). Prior to major pelvic surgery for removal of the ovarian mass, she underwent tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement surgery due to the deteriorating right heart function. She had an uneventful recovery after both operations and continues to be followed up closely with serial ovarian and carcinoid tumour markers.
2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.