Q22.5: Ebstein anomaly

The heart pumps blood through the body. Inside the heart are 4 chambers. There are 2 heart atria and 2 ventricles. Both heart atria and both ventricles are separated from each other by a partition. There are 4 valves in the heart. These valves ensure that the blood flows in the right direction. So they have to close tightly. They also have to open up fully so that the blood can be properly pumped out of the heart.

The tricuspid valve is the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Your tricuspid valve is located further along in the right ventricle than normal. This has changed the structure of the right ventricle. This means it is not able to work properly. Your tricuspid valve is also structured differently than normal. This means the valve doesn’t close properly. If the tricuspid valve is not closing properly, blood can flow back through the valve each time the heart beats. The heart then has to work harder to pump enough blood to the lungs.

You may have various symptoms as a result. The symptoms depend, for example, on how much blood is flowing back through the leaky valve. One may be short of breath, and feel weak or tired. The skin may appear bluish in color.