Late Tricuspid Regurgitation Research Articles

Predictors of late outcomes after concomitant tricuspid valve repair with left-sided valve surgery.

Concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) repair is a safe and effective procedure to protect against late moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after left-sided valve surgery, but studies regarding its late outcomes and recurrent TR are limited. This study aimed to reveal the late outcomes and explore the predictors of mortality and recurrent TR among patients who underwent concomitant TV repair with left-sided valve surgery. This study included 645 patients (mean age, 69.7years; 44% male) who underwent concomitant TV repair with left-sided valve surgery (mitral valve surgery in 594 cases, aortic valve surgery in 172 cases) from 2006-2020. Preoperative TR was grade 4, 3, and less than 2 in 85, 235, and 325 patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 4.6 (IQR 1.7-7.8) years. The in-hospital or 30-day mortality was 1.7% (n = 11). Regarding long-term outcomes after TV repair, 90.3% and 80.8% achieved 5- and 10-year survival, respectively, while 96.1% and 88.8% achieved 5- and 10-year freedom from recurrent TR, respectively. The following were independent predictors of overall mortality on multivariate analysis in patients with preoperative TR grade ≥ 3: prior pacemaker implantation, preoperative renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and NYHA class ≥ 3. Also, suture annuloplasty and ring type of ring annuloplasty were not independent risk factors for recurrent TR, classified as grade ≥ 3. Concomitant TV repair with left-sided valve surgery had acceptable outcomes in terms of survival and TR durability. In patients with preoperative TR grade ≥ 3, preoperative patient status had negative impacts on prognosis.

(836) - Mechanism and Clinical Impact of Late Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients with Heartmate 3

(836) - Mechanism and Clinical Impact of Late Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients with Heartmate 3

Association of late tricuspid regurgitation progression and intracardiac lead types in patients after primary implantation of cardiac electronic devices

Aim. To evaluate the factors and degree of progression of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) depending on the type of implanted electrode in patients after primary implantation of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) in the late postoperative period.Methods. Case histories of 674 patients who underwent primary implantation of an implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD) for the secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death for the period from 2009 to 2019 were analyzed and 75 case histories were selected. Using similar criteria, a comparison group was selected, who were implanted with a permanent pacemaker (PM) for sinus node dysfunction. For maximum comparability of the main and reference groups, pseudo-randomization was used using the nearest neighbor search method; 68 pairs were formed, comparable in terms of the main factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the predictors of progression of TR in the postoperative period.Results. In the preoperative period in the ICD group, 34 patients (50%) had a mild degree of TR, moderate and severe TR occurred in an equal number of cases 2 patients (2.9%) each. In the PM group, mild TR was detected in 24 cases (35.3%), moderate in 2.9% (n=2) of cases, respectively. In the postoperative period, predominantly mild TR was determined in both groups (in the ICD group in 67.6% (n=46), in the PM group in 48 patients (70.6%)).In the analysis of the general group of patients with implanted CIEDs (n=136), in the late postoperative period, an increase in the volume of both atria and the degree of TR was revealed. Left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume didn’t have significant dynamics. All echocardiographic data obtained in the postoperative period were within the normal range.According to the results of multiple logistic regression, a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) has the greatest predictive power (hazard ratio 4.170; 95% confidence interval 1.751-9.933, p=0.001).Conclusion. TR in patients after primary implantation of a CIED in the late postoperative period progresses slightly, regardless of the type of right ventricular electrode. A long history of CHD is associated with the greatest risk of progression to tricuspid valve insufficiency.

Outcomes after repair of complete atrioventricular canal with a modified single-patch technique: a retrospective study.

This study aimed to present the short- and midterm outcomes after complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC) repair using a single-patch technique. This study included 30 children who underwent surgical correction of the CAVC using a single-patch technique. The median age of the patients was 5.7 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.0-7.5 months), and 23 patients (76.7%) had type A CAVC. Fourteen patients (46.7%) were female and 17 (56.7%) had been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The in-hospital mortality rate was 0%. No deaths were observed during a median follow-up of 4 years (IQR, 3.5-5.0 years). Patients without Down syndrome were associated with late moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) (p=0.02). Late MR less than moderate degree was observed in 96.6%, 78.5%, and 50% of patients after 2, 4, and 5 years of follow-up, respectively, while late tricuspid valve regurgitation less than moderate degree was observed in 96.7%, 85.9%, and 59.0% of patients after 2, 4, and 6 years of follow-up, respectively. After a median follow-up of 4 years, only one patient had required surgical repair of a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which occurred 26 months after the first operation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for the type of CAVC, sex, Down syndrome, age, and weight revealed that the absence of Down syndrome was a risk factor for late moderate MR (MR-2) (odds ratio, 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.50; p=0.01). A single-patch technique for CAVC surgical repair is a safe method with acceptable short- and midterm results.

Comparison of Surgical Techniques Used in Ventricular Septal Defect Closure.

We compared transatrial closure, tricuspid valve septal detachment, and tricuspid valve chordal detachment techniques for ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. Patients who had VSD closure with three different techniques in our clinic between September 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 117 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1, classical transatrial closure; group 2, closure with tricuspid valve septal detachment; and group 3, closure with tricuspid valve chordal detachment. The groups were evaluated by serial transthoracic echocardiography (preoperative, postoperative 1st day, postoperative 1st month). Cardiac rhythm checks and recordings were performed. No residual VSD was observed in early or late periods in any of the groups whose VSD closure was performed with the three different techniques. No severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was detected during the early and late postoperative periods of all operating procedures. When the groups were compared in terms of early/late TR after the operation (without TR+trace amount of TR and mild TR+moderate TR were compared), no statistically significant difference was found (P>0,05; P=0,969 and P>0,05; P=0,502). In this study, we found no statistically significant difference between three VSD closure techniques in terms of early TR, late TR, residual VSD, and permanent atrioventricular complete block during postoperative period. We hope that our results will be supported by the results of researches that are being made about this subject in large series.

Surgical edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation: Impact of the concomitant annuloplasty

BackgroundSurgical edge-to-edge repair has been suggested for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with complex tricuspid valve (TV) pathologies. Nevertheless, the impact of concomitant TAP has not been well established. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of tricuspid edge-to-edge repair according to the implementation of concomitant TAP. MethodsA total of 264 patients who underwent tricuspid edge-to-edge repair between January 2001 and December 2020 were enrolled in the study, and 23 patients who had undergone previous TV repair were excluded. The remaining 241 patients were categorized into two groups: TAP (n = 190) and non-TAP (n = 51). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust the baseline differences between the two groups. ResultsEarly mortality and morbidity did not differ between the two groups. The mean follow-up duration was 111.5 ± 72.4 months. IPTW-adjusted survival analysis did not reveal a difference between the two groups in late significant tricuspid stenosis (trans-tricuspid pressure gradient ≥5 mmHg) and TV reoperations. However, freedom from overall mortality and late severe TR were significantly higher in the TAP group (p = 0.033 and 0.006, respectively). The sensitivity analysis, including propensity score matching, showed consistent results. ConclusionThe long-term outcomes of surgical tricuspid edge-to-edge repair were better when performed with concomitant TAP.

Less is better? Comparing effects of median sternotomy and thoracotomy surgical approaches for left ventricular assist device implantation on postoperative outcomes and valvulopathy

ObjectiveOur objective was to compare outcomes after left ventricular assist device implantation performed via median sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 222 adult patients with the HeartMate3 (Abbott Lab) left ventricular assist device implanted between November 2014 and November 2021. Outcomes stratified by surgical approach were evaluated in propensity score–matched groups. The primary outcome was 1-year survival. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital morbidity and mortality, readmissions, and significant valvular regurgitation. ResultsOur cohort consisted of 60 patients (27%) who underwent lateral thoracotomy and 162 patients (73%) who underwent median sternotomy. Propensity score matching compared 45 patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy with 68 patients who underwent median sternotomy. There were no differences in intensive care unit or hospital stay duration (median, 10 vs 11 days, P = .58; 46 vs 40 days, P = .279), time to extubation (median, 2 days, P = .627), vasoactive-inotropic scores at intensive care unit arrival (18.20 vs 16.60, P = .654), or in-hospital mortality (2 [5%] vs 4 [6.1%] patients, P = 1). One-year survival (95.56% vs 90.61%, P = .48) and all-cause hospital readmission rate (Gray's test: P = .532) were also comparable. Patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy had significantly less early right ventricular failure (24.4% vs 53.7%, P = .004), although they had more follow-up tricuspid regurgitation (17.6% vs 0%, P = .030) and volume overload readmissions (Gray's test: P = .0005). ConclusionsOur data suggest that lateral thoracotomy is a safe although not necessarily superior alternative to median sternotomy for HeartMate 3 implantation in the perioperative and postoperative periods, because it precludes concomitant tricuspid valve repairs and may be associated with increased risk of late tricuspid regurgitation and volume overload readmissions.

Should We Touch Tricuspid Valve at the Time of LVAD

<h3>Purpose</h3> The optimal management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is controversial. The aim of the study is to compare outcomes of the patients who doesn't repair with moderate TR and severe TR on LVAD patient. <h3>Methods</h3> From October 2013 and December 2019, included 144 patients who without tricuspid repair (TVR) at the time of LVAD implantation at our department. Patients were divided into two groups according to the TR; Of 144 patients, 106 have moderate TR (group 1) and 38 with severe TR (group2). All patients were evaluated for mortality, need of inotrope, blood product transfusion, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, time on mechanical ventilation, and postoperative and late right ventricular failure (RVF). Minimally Invasive technique was favored in patients with worse RV function to prevent the need for postoperative RV support and bleeding. <h3>Results</h3> Preoperative baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Survival was not significantly different between the groups (P>0.05). Incidence of late RVF was high in severe TR group (P<0.05). Operative and postoperative outcomes were summarized in table 1. <h3>Conclusion</h3> A perfect implant of the LVAD and minimal bleeding is much more important than the TVR. TVR can be neglected during minimally invasive surgery. Incidence of late RVF was high in severe TR group. Further study is necessary to determine what factors lead to recurrence of late TR in LVAD patients both with and without TVR.

Predictors of functional tricuspid regurgitation after successful left-sided valve surgery

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is probably the most common and anticipated complication of left-sided heart valve pathology, especially MV disease. Whether preoperative functional TR will regress or progress after successful left-sided valve surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of significant TR after successful left-sided valve surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 56 patients who underwent left-sided valve surgery (mitral or mitro-aortic valve surgery). We have excluded patients who had organic TR. All patients had complete clinical examination and echocardiographic studies preoperatively and clinical and echocardiographic follow-up postoperatively. Mean operative age of patients was 49,3 ± 13,7 years with a sex-ratio of 0,8. Tricuspid annuloplasty was associated to left-sided valve surgery in 18 (32%) patients. Postoperatively, significant TR was found in 13 patients (23%) with a mean follow-up of 20,5 ± 33 months. Patients with significant postoperative TR were more often female (83% vs. 48%, P = 0,03), had more often a previous mitral commissurotomy (58% vs. 23%, P = 0,02) and showed a higher prevalence of significant preoperative TR (69% vs. 42%, P = 0,04). Postoperatively, residual pulmonary hypertension ( P = 0,04), dilatation of left atrium ( P = 0,02) and dilatation of right cardiac cavities ( P = 0,01) were significant risk factors for development or progression of TR after surgery. Late onset or progression of functional TR after successful left-sided valve surgery is a significant clinical entity as it displays a great impact on patient prognosis. So, the identification of clinical and echocardiographic predictors of late TR allows an adequate screening of patients that will require tricuspid valve repair at the time of initial left-sided valve surgery.

Long-term outcomes of pericardial strip versus prosthetic ring annuloplasty for secondary tricuspid regurgitation by a minimally invasive approach

BackgroundThis study was conducted to compare the outcomes of prosthetic ring versus autologous pericardial strip for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation during left-sided valve surgery by minimally invasive approach.MethodsFrom January 2008 and July 2016, autologous pericardial strip (group P-TAP) was used in 109 patients, and prosthetic ring (group R-TAP) in 115 patients. The primary outcomes were long-term overall survival, development of patch degeneration, and significant tricuspid regurgitation recurrence. The second outcome was the assessment of right ventricular functional parameters.ResultsOperative mortality was 1 case (0.9%) in the R-TAP group. At the time of hospital discharge only one patient (0.9%) in the R-TAP group had grade III+ tricuspid regurgitation, and none had grade IV+. Mean follow-up was 94.1 ± 24.5 months. Mild and moderate tricuspid regurgitation recurrence was 3.7% and 4.5% (P-TAP vs. R-TAP groups, p = 0.99). Severe regurgitation was observed in 1.8% of cases only in the R-TAP group (p = 0.49). There were no reoperations. Late mortality was 3.7% and 5.4% (P-TAP vs. R-TAP groups, p = 0.75). Freedom from death, all causes, were comparable among groups (log-rank p = 0.45). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in TAPSE, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial diameter.ConclusionsTricuspid annuloplasty using an autologous pericardial strip in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery is associated to similar long results (survival, late tricuspid regurgitation, and functional echocardiographic parameters) than annuloplasty with a prosthetic ring. In particular, the pericardial strip over time does not develop any degeneration or retraction.

The Association of Age and Repair Modification with Outcome after Cone Repair for Ebstein's Malformation

Cone repair (CR) uses native tissue for tricuspid valve (TV) repair and provides potential for growth. Results after CR were investigated in different age groups including several surgical modifications. Single institution retrospective analysis of all CR excluding neonatal procedures. Endpoints included TV reoperation, late tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and death. Between April 2006 and August 2019, 157 patients underwent CR at a median age of 11.7 years (range, 0.3-57.2). 20% (n=32) of patients had previous surgery. Repair modifications included atrial reduction (n=111,71%), right ventricular plication (n=85,55%), leaflet augmentation (n=36,23%), papillary muscle repositioning (n=50,32%), ring annuloplasty (n=70,45%). Early re-operation for recurrent TR occurred in 11 patients. Median follow-up time was 4.3 years (range, 9d-12.3y). There was no significant association between age at repair and time to TV reoperation (p=0.25). However, age <4 years at CR was identified as the most discriminating binary age threshold for the patients with TV reoperation (25.0% in <4y group vs 9.3% in the ≥4y group). Placement of an annuloplasty ring was protective against ≥moderate TR (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.16-0.95, p=0.039). Freedom from late TV re-operation was 94.1% at 7 years. Survival was 97.9% at 6 years. Repair after age 18 years was associated with mortality in early follow-up (p=0.037). Mid-term results for CR are favorable in children and adults. Time to TV reoperation may be shorter when CR is performed before age four years, but this result requires confirmation in a larger sample. An annuloplasty ring should be considered when appropriate.

Development of tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular performance after implantation of centrifugal left ventricular assist devices.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with a poor prognosis. This study evaluates the development of TR and right ventricular (RV) performance after LVAD implantation. Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LVAD implantation between March 2018 and June 2019. Patients who underwent concomitant tricuspid valve surgery and patients with congenital heart disease were excluded. A total of 155 patients underwent LVAD implantation. Fourteen patients were excluded. Of the remaining patients, thirty-one died during the first six months, six were lost to follow-up and two underwent transplantation. 102 patients presented at 6.3 months (5.8 to 7.0). Patients were supported with HeartWare HVAD (74%) or HeartMate 3 (26%). 50.4% were rated as INTERMACS profile 1 or 2. At six months, systolic pulmonary artery pressure dropped from 36 to 21 mmHg (P<0.001). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion decreased from 17.3 to 14.3 mm (P<0.001), RV fractional area change did not change (P=0.839). Twenty-two patients (22%) presented with moderate-to-severe or severe (ms-s) TR pre-operatively. Of these, eighteen (81%) showed improvement to ≤ moderate TR. At follow-up twelve patients presented with ms-s TR. Of these, only four patients (33%) had been diagnosed with ms-s TR pre-operatively. There were no differences in pre-operative echocardiographic or clinical parameters between the twelve patients with ms-s late TR and the other ninety patients in the cohort. TR can show an impressive improvement with LVAD support. Longitudinal RV function decreases; this appears to be compensated by transverse shortening. Late TR can develop independently from pre-operative parameters including TR.

Is Prophylactic Tricuspid Annuloplasty Beneficial for Degenerative Mitral Valve Repair?

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical impacts of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) in patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who underwent mitral valve repair. One hundred fifty-one patients with mild TR who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1997 and 2013 were categorized into the TAP (n= 85) or no TAP (n= 66) groups. The indications for TAP were atrial fibrillation and tricuspid annular dilatation. The mean follow-up duration was 115.5 ± 48.6 months. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis and propensity score matching with 53 patients in each group were used to adjust for the baseline differences between the 2 groups. There were no early mortalities in either group, and early morbidities, including heart block, were not different between the groups. Inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted survival analysis did not reveal any difference in overall survival (P= .862), freedom from cardiac-related mortality (P= .535), or major adverse valve-related events (P= .972) between the groups. There was no difference in late TR progression (moderate or greater) between the groups (P= .316). These results were consistent in the matched analysis. Prophylactic TAP in mild TR may not have a beneficial effect on TR progress in degenerative mitral regurgitation. Further large studies are necessary to define the role of prophylactic TAP in mild TR.

Predictors of Late Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at the time of LVAD-Implantation is associated with poor survival. Therefore the benefit of Tricuspid repair at the time of LVAD implantation is subject of intensive discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of moderate to severe and severe TR (ms-sTR) 6 months after Implantation. All patients that were able to present at our center 6 months after LVAD-Implantation underwent clinical assessment and echocardiography. We divided patients in two groups regarding postoperative TR (no to moderate TR vs. ms-sTR) and retrospectively analyzed preoperative-, operative data and the results of the 6 months follow up. 121 adult patients underwent LVAD-Implantation between 3/2018 and 2/2019. 51% were classified as INTERMACS profile 1 or 2. 31 patients died during first 6 months. Patients who were lost in follow up (n=4), with congenital heart disease (n=2) and patients who underwent Tricuspid repair (n=4) were excluded. Therefore 80 patients presented between 6.24 months (IQR: [5.8, 7.1]) supported with HeartWare HVAD 79 (n=63), HeartMate 3 (n=17). The patients were 56±11 years old, 68 were male, 12 female. 32 had dilative cardiomyopathy, 42 had ischemic cardiomyopathy, 6 other causes. All received optimal medical therapy (27 ACE-Inhibitor or angiogensine II receptor blockers, 51 Sacubitril-Valsartan, 69 aldosterone antagonist, 67 beta blockers). 10 patients showed late ms-sTR while 70 had no to moderate TR. There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical parameters (age, Body mass index, duration of heart failure, INTERMACS level, atrial fibrillation, implantable cardiovascular electric device) between the groups. There was also no significant difference in preoperative echocardiographic parameters (grade of TR, grade of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular enddiastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular diameters, right ventricular ejection fraction, TAPSE, TK annulus diameter, systolic pulmonary artery pressure) between the two groups. 15 patients with preoperative ms-sTR showed spontaneous improvement and 7 patients with preoperative mild or moderate TR developed ms-sTR after six months. Late TR after LVAD-implantation may develop independent from preoperative right ventricular function and preoperative TR.

Predictors of functional tricuspid regurgitation after successful left-sided valve surgery

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is probably the most common and anticipated complication of left-sided heart valve pathology, especially MV disease. Whether preoperative functional TR will regress or progress after successful left-sided valve surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of significant TR after successful left-sided valve surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 56 patients who underwent left-sided valve surgery (mitral or mitro-aortic-valve surgery). We have excluded patients who had organic TR. All patients had complete clinical examination and echocardiographic studies preoperatively and clinical and echocardiographic follow-up postoperatively. Mean operative age of patients was 49.3 ± 13.7 years with a sex-ratio of 0,8. Tricuspid annuloplasty was associated to left-sided valve surgery in 18 (32%) patients. Postoperatively, significant TR was found in 13 patients (23%) with a mean follow-up of 20.5 ± 33 months. Patients with significant postoperative TR were more often female (83% vs. 48%, P = 0.03), had more often a previous mitral commissurotomy (58% vs. 23%, P = 0.02) and showed a higher prevalence of significant preoperative TR (69% vs. 42%, P = 0.04). Postoperatively, residual pulmonary hypertension ( P = 0.04), dilatation of left atrium ( P = 0.02) and dilatation of right cardiac cavities ( P = 0.01) were significant risk factors for development or progression of TR after surgery. Late onset or progression of functional TR after successful left-sided valve surgery is a significant clinical entity as it displays a great impact on patient prognosis. So, the identification of clinical and echocardiographic predictors of late TR allows an adequate screening of patients that will require tricuspid valve repair at the time of initial left-sided valve surgery.

The relationship of atrial fibrillation and tricuspid annular dilation to late tricuspid regurgitation in patients with degenerative mitral repair

ObjectivesGuidelines do not address preoperative atrial fibrillation when considering adding tricuspid annuloplasty to mitral surgery. Our purpose was to determine the occurrence of late tricuspid regurgitation in patients with less than moderate tricuspid regurgitation undergoing surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation and the importance of atrial fibrillation and tricuspid annular dilation. MethodsFrom 2004 to 2017, 1021 patients underwent surgery for degenerative mitral regurgitation; 869 (85%) had less than moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and 846 (97%) underwent repair. Preoperative atrial fibrillation was present in 199 patients and ablated in 194 patients (97%). Tricuspid annular diameter was measured in 657 of 869 patients (76%). ResultsFor patients who did not receive tricuspid annuloplasty, recurrent moderate or more late tricuspid regurgitation was 8% (45/576) in the no atrial fibrillation group and 25% (38/154) in the atrial fibrillation group (P < .001; odds ratio, 2.42). In 75.2% of patients (494/657), the tricuspid annulus was less than 4.0 cm; in 17% of patients (112), the tricuspid annulus was 4.0 to 4.4 mm (mean 41.1 mm); and in 7.8% of patients (51), the tricuspid annulus was 45 mm or more (47.8 mm). Only tricuspid diameter 45 mm or more was a risk for late tricuspid regurgitation (P = .002; odds ratio, 3.25). Progression to moderate or higher tricuspid regurgitation was associated with an increase in long-term mortality: unadjusted hazard ratio, 3.58 (2.04-6.29) (P < .001); adjusted hazard ratio, 2.37 (1.23-4.57) (P = .010). ConclusionsPreoperative atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for late tricuspid regurgitation despite concomitant ablation surgery. Tricuspid annular dilation was not associated with late tricuspid regurgitation until the annulus was 45 mm or greater. Progression to moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation was associated with an increase in late mortality.

Surgical treatment for tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery

Late tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery can negatively affect long-term prognosis. The surgical timing and strategy of tricuspid valve reoperation will have important impact on the surgical outcomes. However, there is no clear recommendations of the surgical timing for this condition in the current guidelines. Generally, tricuspid valve reoperation should be performed before irreversible right heart failure occurs. Although tricuspid valve repair is the first choice for tricuspid regurgitation, bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement might be a reliable alternative when tricuspid leaflets have severe rheumatic damage or right ventricle and tricuspid annulus significantly dilate. Combined minimally invasive surgical techniques, including right minithoracotomy approach, accessing the right atrium directly through the pericardium with limited dissection, peripheral cannulation strategy with the vacuum-assist single venous drainage technique and heart beating technique, can significantly decrease the operative mortality and postoperative bleeding. With development of interventional therapy, transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement may become alternatives for tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery in the future.

Long-term outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation: A propensity score-matching analysis

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to compare the outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). MethodsFrom 2003 to 2017, De Vega annuloplasty (group D) was used in 231 patients, and rigid ring annuloplasty (group R) was used in 204 patients for the treatment of functional TR during left-sided valve surgery. A propensity score-matching analysis was used to pair group D (n = 109) with group R (n = 109). The primary outcomes were long-term overall survival and cardiac death, and the secondary outcomes were tricuspid valve-related events and TR recurrence (TR moderate or severe). The follow-up data were complete in 99.6% (447 out of 449) of the patients with a follow-up duration of 102 months. ResultsThere were no differences in the overall survival and cardiac death between the propensity score-matched groups (P = .793 and P = .175, respectively) up to 14 years after surgery. Tricuspid valve-related events, including cardiac death, permanent pacemaker implantation, thromboembolism, bleeding and tricuspid valve reoperation were also similar between the 2 matched groups during the follow-up (P > .999). However, cumulative incidence of TR recurrence was significantly higher in group R than in group D (P = .007). Multivariate analysis indicated the annuloplasty method (De Vega) and preoperative TR grade as risk factors for late TR recurrence. ConclusionsIn functional TR, annuloplasty methods did not influence long-term overall survival, cardiac mortality, and tricuspid valve-related events. However, rigid ring annuloplasty showed less late TR recurrence. Rigid ring annuloplasty can be considered for the treatment of functional TR in terms of its better durability.

Outcomes after surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to provide a contemporary overview of outcomes after tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The literature was systematically searched for papers published between January 2005 and December 2017 reporting on clinical/echocardiographic outcomes after TV surgery for functional TR. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted for outcome variables, and late outcomes are visualized by pooled Kaplan-Meier curves. Subgroup analyses were performed for studies with a within-study comparison of suture vs. ring repair and flexible vs. rigid ring repair. Eighty-seven publications were included, encompassing 13184 patients (mean age: 62.1 ± 11.8 years, 55% females). A mitral valve procedure was performed in 92% of patients. Pooled mean follow-up was 4.0 ± 2.8 years. Pooled early mortality was 3.9% (95% CI: 3.2-4.6), and late mortality rate was 2.7%/year (95% CI: 2.0-3.5), of which approximately half was cardiac-related 1.2%/year (95% CI: 0.8-1.9). Pooled risk of early moderate-to-severe TR at discharge was 9.4% (95% CI: 7.0-12.1). Late moderate-to-severe TR rate after discharge was 1.9%/year (95% CI: 1.0-3.5). Late reintervention rate was 0.3%/year (95% CI: 0.2-0.4). Mortality and overall (early and late) TR rate were comparable between suture vs. ring annuloplasty (14 studies), whereas overall TR rate was higher after flexible ring vs. rigid ring annuloplasty (6 studies) (7.5%/year vs. 3.9%/year, P = 0.002). This study shows that patients undergoing surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) have an acceptable early and late mortality. However, TR remains prevalent after surgery. The results of this study can be used to inform patients and clinicians about the expected outcome after surgery for FTR and can results serve as a benchmark for the performance of emerging transcatheter TV interventions.

Tricuspid valve intervention at the time of mitral valve surgery: a meta-analysis.

The surgical management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at the time of mitral valve surgery remains controversial. Our objectives were to determine the safety and efficacy of tricuspid valve (TV) repair during mitral valve surgery in a meta-analysis. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from 1946 to 2017 for all studies comparing TV repair to no intervention at the time of mitral valve surgery on early and late mortality and late TR. A random-effects meta-analysis of all outcomes was performed. One thousand four hundred and seventeen studies were retrieved and a total of 17 studies [2 randomized clinical trial (n = 211), 11 adjusted observational studies (n = 3848) and 4 unadjusted observational studies (n = 67010)] that compared TV repair (n = 11787) to no intervention (n = 56027) at a mean follow-up of 6.0 ± 0.64 years were included. There was no difference in 30-day/in-hospital mortality between repair and no repair [risk ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.70-2.02; P = 0.52]. The incidence of new permanent pacemaker implantation was higher in the TV repair group (RR 2.73, 95% CI 2.57-2.89; P < 0.01). TV repair was protective against late moderate or greater TR [incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.28, 95% CI 0.17-0.47; P < 0.01] and severe TR (IRR 0.38, 95% CI 0.17-0.84). There was a numerically lower rate of late TV reoperation (IRR 0.39, 95% CI 0.12-1.25; P = 0.11) that did not reach statistical significance. Overall, there was no difference in late mortality between the 2 treatments (IRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.63-1.24; P = 0.43). TV repair appears safe in the perioperative period and may reduce future recurrent TR without any survival benefit.