Abstract

Background: Patients with carcinoid heart disease are prone to the development of mild to severe tricuspid regurgitation with or without accompanying tricuspid stenosis. We present an interesting case of a patient with bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis secondary to carcinoid heart disease undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR). Case history: The patient is a 64-year-old female with metastatic carcinoid syndrome and subsequent tricuspid valve replacement with 25 mm Magna ease bovine pericardial valve. The surgery was complicated by carcinoid crisis, pneumothorax, and complete heart block. She presented with worsening shortness of breath with exertion. Echocardiography revealed severe tricuspid stenosis associated with a severely dilated right atrium, moderate pulmonary stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed carcinoid degeneration of the bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. CT chest and abdomen with contrast showed consistent findings of severe tricuspid stenosis, metastatic carcinoid tumor with new foci in liver, lungs. Ischemic evaluation with angiography revealed normal coronaries. Decision making: The patient was evaluated by the heart team and was considered to be a prohibitive risk patient for redo surgery. We then evaluated her suitability for transcatheter valve replacement, and the patient was felt suitable for undergoing valve-in-valve transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement via the right internal jugular vein approach because of the coaxial alignment of the valve through this route. The patient successfully underwent this procedure with a 26 mm balloon-expandable valve without any complications and is currently in NYHA class I functional status. Conclusion: Carcinoid syndrome can affect bioprosthetic tricuspid valves and transcatheter valve replacement may be advantageous in replacing the affected bioprosthetic valves by reducing morbidity and mortality.

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