Anterior Tricuspid Leaflet Cleft in an Adult Male: An Autopsy Case Report

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Mar;41(1):40-41. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000525.

Abstract

The deceased was a 44-year-old male who was treated for a suspected Ebstein's anomaly observed using transthoracic echocardiogram. He was found dead in his bed at home. Autopsy revealed that the septal tricuspid leaflet was intact; however, a large anterior tricuspid leaflet cleft and right atrioventricular cavity dilation were observed. Pathological examination revealed a normal tricuspid valve, except for the presence of a cleft with local fibrosis of the left ventricle papillary muscle and hemosiderin-containing macrophages at both lungs. There were no other abnormalities that may have led to death. It was concluded that he died a cardiac death based on the right heart overload associated with the anterior tricuspid leaflet cleft. This case indicates the possibility that the anterior tricuspid leaflet cleft can cause death and also highlights the necessity of a detailed autopsy to accurately diagnose the cause of death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ebstein Anomaly / diagnosis
  • Fibrosis
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Hemosiderin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
  • Papillary Muscles / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Tricuspid Valve / abnormalities*
  • Tricuspid Valve / pathology*
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / complications

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Hemosiderin