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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEbstein's anomaly is a rare heart defect that's present at birth (congenital). In Ebstein's anomaly, your tricuspid valve — the valve between the chambers on the right side of your heart — doesn't work properly. Blood leaks back through the valve, making your heart work less efficiently. Ebstein's anomaly may also lead to enlargement of the heart or heart failure.
If you have no signs or symptoms associated with Ebstein's anomaly, careful monitoring of your heart may be all that's necessary. If signs and symptoms bother you, or if the heart is enlarging or becoming weaker, treatment for Ebstein's anomaly may be necessary. Treatment options include medications and surgery.
- Argwala BN, et al. Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 13, 2010.
- Ebstein's anomaly. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11075. Accessed July 17, 2010.
- Other less common congenital cardiac anomalies. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec19/ch287/ch287n.html#sec19-ch287-ch287l-2252i. Accessed July 17, 2010.
- Attenhofer JCH, et al. Ebstein's anomaly. Circulation. 2007;115:277.
- Brown ML, et al. Functional status after operation for Ebstein anomaly: The Mayo Clinic experience. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:460.
- Gurvitz M, et al. Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Current Cardiology Reports. 2007;9:336.
- Brown ML, et al. The outcomes of operations for 539 patients with Ebstein anomaly. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2008;135:1120.
- Dearani JA, et al. Surgical advances in the treatment of adults with congenital heart disease. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2009;21:565.
- Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 21, 2010.
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