Ebstein

Ebstein is a surname of German origin. It has been borne by several notable figures, most prominently Wilhelm Ebstein, a 19th-century German physician who described a congenital heart defect that bears his name.

Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect named after him. It is defined by apical displacement of the septal and posterior tricuspid valve leaflets, producing an atrialized portion of the right ventricle and typically severe tricuspid regurgitation. This anatomy causes right atrial enlargement and can lead to cyanosis, heart failure, or arrhythmias, including pre-excitation in some patients due to accessory pathways such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Diagnosis is typically established with echocardiography; cardiac MRI may be used for detailed anatomy.

Management ranges from observation and medical therapy for mild cases to surgical repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve in more severe instances. Procedures may aim to relocate or reconstruct the valve, reduce the size of the atrialized ventricle, and address associated conduction abnormalities. The prognosis depends on severity, right ventricular function, and the presence of other cardiac anomalies; advances in imaging and surgical techniques have improved outcomes for many patients.