PURPOSE: To value the surgical treatment of adult patients with Ebstein's anomaly, using a Carpentier's modified repair technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and March 2001 six adult patients with Ebstein's anomaly were treated using a modification of Carpentier's repair technique, four were males and two were females, ages ranging from 18 to 34 years (Mean 23.3 years), all were in Functional Class III or IV (NYHA), with increased cyanoses and frequent rhythm disturbance. Four patients had an associated atrioventricular septal defect; in four patients the tricuspid valve was Carpentier's type B and two type A and all were able to benefit from this conservative technique. RESULTS: There were not hospital deaths and one patient died 14º months after surgery in this series. Actuarial survival was 83.3% in 9 years. Four patients are in Functional Class I and one in Functional Class II (NYHA). Echocardiography and Doppler studies demonstrated a normal shape of right ventricle and good tricuspid valve function in four patients and one has moderate tricuspid regurgitation but still in Functional Class II (NYHA). CONCLUSION: Although the small number of patients in this series, the modification of Carpentier's repair technique in adult patients was efficient, reproducible and improved the preoperative status with regard to functional class, tricuspid regurgitation cyanoses and rhythm disturbance.
Ebstein´s Anomaly; Heart defects, congenital; Tricuspid valve
