Tricuspid regurgitation and acute myocardial infarction.

A 71-year-old man had a right ventricular infarct complicated with hypotension and transient complete atrioventricular block. The patient was found to have tricuspid regurgitation, which was corrected with a prosthetic tricuspid valve. After correction, there was dramatic improvement in his clinical status, with correction of persistent hypotension and weakness and early discharge home to full activity. Tricuspid regurgitation is a mechanical defect of acute myocardial infarction that benefits greatly from surgical correction. This therapy should be considered in any individual in whom tricuspid regurgitation complicates acute right ventricular infarction.