Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of a De Vega tricuspid anuloplasty rupture.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation developed in a 51-year-old woman with rheumatic heart disease and a previous replacement of the mitral valve 8 years after a De Vega anuloplasty. At transthoracic echocardiography, rupture of the anuloplasty material was suspected, which was definitely confirmed at transesophageal echocardiography. She underwent operation solely by echocardiographic diagnosis, which was completely confirmed at operation.