DYNAMIC PULMONARY REGURGITATION ASSOCIATED WITH A BICUSPID VALVE

Abstract

The antemortem diagnosis of dynamically significant pulmonary regurgitation has been made in only 5 cases. In only one were autopsy data available demonstrating an associated abnormal pulmonary valve. A case is reported in which a clinical suspicion of significant pulmonary regurgitation was supported by right heart catheterization, and was proven antemortem by surgery. A bicuspid valve was then demonstrated at autopsy. This case supports the previous experimental finding that pulmonary regurgitation associated with an abnormal valve becomes dynamically significant only in the presence of pulmonary hypertension. The importance or existence of "functional" pulmonic regurgitation is questionable in the presence of normal valves.