Echocardiographic study of Ebstein's anomaly.

This report analyze the M-mode, two-dimensional (2-D) Doppler and contrast echocardiographic features of 8 patients with Ebstein's anomaly. The diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization in all cases. M-mode echocardiograms showed: dilated right ventricular cavity (29-59 mm) in 7 patients (88%), abnormal septal motion in 6 patients (75%), delayed closure of tricuspid valve in 4 patients (50%), increased excursion of anterior tricuspid leaflet (20-32 mm) in 6 patients (75%). Two-dimensional echocardiogram revealed: apical displacement of septal tricuspid leaflet (10-43 mm) in all cases (100%), elongated anterior tricuspid leaflet with whip-like motion in 7 patients (88%), tethering of septal tricuspid leaflet in 1 case (13%). The Doppler studies revealed tricuspid regurgitation in 4 of the 5 cases studied (80%) and atrial septal defect flow pattern in all 5 cases studied (100%). Contrast study showed right to left shunt through the atrial septal defect in all 5 cases studied (100%). We conclude that echocardiography is a useful diagnostic tool in detecting Ebstein's anomaly.