Time Of Left-sided Valve Surgery Research Articles

Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) adversely affects long-term survival; however, isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery has been rarely performed due to high operative mortality. In addition, the previous literature included heterogeneous TR etiologies. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate early and long-term outcomes of isolated TV surgery for functional TR. An electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies. Baseline characteristics, perioperative variables, and clinical outcomes were extracted and pooled for meta-analysis. This meta-analysis included seven studies. Pooled analyses showed that 68% (35, 89) of patients had preoperative atrial fibrillation or flutter, and 58% (11, 94) had a history of left-sided valve surgery. Seventy-three percent (65, 80) of patients had at least one physical exam finding of right-sided heart failure, and 57% (44, 69) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. TV replacement was more common than repair. In TV replacement, bioprosthetic valve (39%, 13, 74) was more common than mechanical prosthesis (22%, 18, 26). The early mortality rate was 7%. Twenty percent of patients required a permanent pacemaker postoperatively. The overall 1- and 5-year survival rates were 84.5 and 69.1%, respectively. More than half of the patients who underwent isolated TV surgery for functional TR had undergone left-sided valve surgery and had significant heart failure symptoms at the time of surgery. Further studies on the surgical indication for concomitant TV surgery at the time of left-sided valve surgery and the appropriate timing of surgery for isolated functional TR are needed to improve survival.

Long-Term Impact of Preventive Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty on Right Ventricular Remodeling

In patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR), concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) annuloplasty at the time of left-sided valve surgery is indicated in case of a dilated TV annulus ≥40mm independent of the presence or severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, the long-term impact on right ventricular (RV) adverse remodeling is less well established and the benefit of preventive TV annuloplasty remains controversial. The aim of the study was to assess differences in long-term RV adverse remodeling and the development of significant TR in those patients. In total, 98 patients (mean age 65 ± 11years, 85% men) with significant primary MR and TV annulus dilatation ≥40mm without significant TR who underwent mitral valve (MV) repair with or without concomitant TV annuloplasty were included. Of the 98 patients, 28 patients underwent isolated MV repair without TV annuloplasty and 70 patients received concomitant TV annuloplasty at the time of MV surgery. The RV basal diameter (p=0.03), RV long-axis diameter (p=0.04), RV end-diastolic area (p <0.01), and RV end-systolic area (p=0.03) showed less adverse remodeling at follow-up in patients with concomitant TV annuloplasty compared with patients without TV annuloplasty. Additionally, 4 patients (14%) in the subgroup without TV annuloplasty developed significant TR during follow-up in contrast to zero patients in the subgroup with TV annuloplasty (p=0.001). In conclusion, concomitant preventive TV annuloplasty during MV surgery in patients with primary MR, no significant TR and a tricuspid annulus (≥40mm) prevented RV adverse remodeling and the development of significant TR at long-term follow-up.

Abstract 16289: Deformation of Tricuspid Annulus After Tricuspid Ring Annuloplasty: A Three-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Study

Background: Tricuspid ring annuloplasty (TAP) is usually performed for patients with mild or greater functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at the time of left-sided valve surgery. However, there were limited data regarding the shape of tricuspid annulus after TAP. The aim of this study was using three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography to investigate the impact of the ring annuloplasty on the tricuspid annulus after TAP. Methods: 3D tricuspid valve was retrospectively analyzed in 20 patients who underwent concomitant left-sided heart surgery and TAP for functional TR. 3D data of tricuspid valve were acquired before TAP, immediate after surgery (intraoperative), and before discharge (15±5 days after TAP). TAP was performed by one surgeon using a Carpentier-Edwards Physio Tricuspid annuloplasty ring. The ring size was determined by measuring the distance from anteroseptal to posteroseptal commissures. 3D tricuspid annular area was measured. The area protruded outside the annuloplasty ring was obtained by subtracting the ring area from the annular area (Figure). Results: All 20 patients underwent successfully TAP with less than mild residual TR. Annuloplasty rings size 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, and 34mm were used in 6 (30%), 4 (20%), 5 (25%), and 5 (25%) patients, respectively. Median annular area decreased from 1074 (interquartile rage 893-1276) mm 2 before TAP to 591 (519-706) mm 2 immediate after TAP, but showed significant increase to 645 (501-766) mm 2 at the time of discharge (P&lt;0.001). Percent area protruded outside the annuloplasty ring was 14% immediate after TAP and increased to 24% before discharge (P&lt;0.001). Before discharge, there were 9 patients with more than mild residual TR (2 had moderate TR). Percent area protruded outside the annuloplasty ring was associated with mild or more residual TR at the discharge. Conclusion: Tricuspid annular shape after TAP was not always round. Deformation of tricuspid annulus may be associated with residual TR.

Late tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling after tricuspid annuloplasty.

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of preoperative right ventricular (RV) and tricuspid valve (TV) remodeling on the fate of tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) and right ventricle. From May 2009 to December 2015, 423 patients who had undergone TA for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were included in the study. Residual and recurrent TR were defined as moderate or more TR at discharge and follow-up, respectively. RV remodeling was defined as RV dysfunction and/or dilation. Residual TR after TA was recorded in 54 patients (13%). Five-year freedom from TR recurrence was 81% ± 3% in patients without residual TR and 41 ± 8 in patients with residual TR (P < .001). In patients without residual TR, the following risk factors for recurrent TR and late RV remodeling were identified: preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure, preoperative RV remodeling, severe preoperative TR or less than severe TR but with TV apparatus remodeling, and etiology of mitral regurgitation. Cox analysis with time-dependent variables confirmed TR recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.1) and late RV remodeling (HR: 6.5) as risk factors for lower survival. No protective effect of either flexible band or rigid ring TA compared with DeVega procedure was found. Similarly, preoperative atrial fibrillation and pacemaker dependency, late failure of mitral valve surgery did not affect the fate of TR. Prophylactic TA should be encouraged among surgeons. TA at the time of left-sided valve surgery should take into consideration not only annular size, but also tethering severity and RV remodeling.

Early failure of tricuspid annuloplasty. Should we repair the tricuspid valve at an earlier stage? The role of right ventricle and tricuspid apparatus.

We sought to identify subgroups of patients at a higher probability of tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) failure early after surgery. From May 2009 to December 2015, 688 patients undergoing TAP for functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) at a single institution were included in the study. In all patients, a complete transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricle (RV) and tricuspid valve (TV) apparatus was collected. Twenty-six patients (3.8%) died within the first 30 days of surgery. Residual TR after TAP was recorded in 85 (12.4%), moderate in 80 (11.7%) and severe in 5 (0.7%). Preoperative TV apparatus remodeling was associated with residual TR; in particular, the following cutoffs were identified: TV coaptation depth ≥6.5 mm, tenting area ≥0.85 cm2 , and tricuspid annulus ≥35 mm. The entire cohort was stratified in three subsets: patients having preoperative mild/moderate TR without preoperative TV apparatus and/or RV remodeling (n = 178); patients having mild/moderate TR with TV apparatus and/or RV remodeling (n = 317); patients with severe TR regardless of TV apparatus and/or RV remodeling (n = 193). Residual TR was 2.8%, 10.4%, and 24.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, patients showing preoperative mild/moderate TR with TV apparatus and/or RV remodeling as well as patients with severe TR were at significantly higher risk for early failure. No difference was found regarding the type of TV repair performed. Prophylactic TAP should be encouraged among surgeons even earlier than guidelines recommend, and decision-making for the treatment of low-grade FTR at the time of left-sided valve surgery should take into consideration not only annular size but also tethering severity and RV dilatation.

OC28 FAILURE OF TRICUSPID ANNULOPLASTY FOR FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID REGURGITATION. THE ROLE OF PREOPERATIVE TRICUSPID VALVE APPARATUS REMODELING

Background: To identify the determinants of both early and late tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) failure. Methods: From May 2009 to December 2015, 688 patients undergoing TAP for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at a single institution were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: MV disease requiring surgical intervention; no pathologic changes in TV leaflets; no previous TV repair; not requiring associated tricuspid valvuloplasty. In 423 patients, echocardiographic evaluation was performed both at discharge and after a median of 35 (22–58) months. Residual and Recurrence TR were defined as TR higher than mild. Logistic regression and Cox analysis were used as multivariable model for early and late failure. ROC curve was used to identify cutoffs Results: Residual TR after TAP was recorded in 54 (13%); Risk factors for residual TR were: preoperative severe TR regardless of tricuspid valve (TV) apparatus remodeling, mild or moderate TR in presence of TV apparatus remodeling, defined as coaptation depth ≥6.5 mm (sensitivity 55%; specificity 80%), tenting area ≥0.85 cm2 (52%; 75%), and tricuspid annulus ≥40 mm (60%; 72%). Recurrent TR was recorded in 85 (20%) cases, Five-year freedom from TR recurrence was 74.0 ± 3.0%. The following risk factors for recurrent TR were identified: residual TR (Figure), atrial fibrillation at follow-up, mild/ moderate TR with TV apparatus remodeling, severe TR. Conclusions: Prophylactic TAP should be encouraged among surgeons even earlier than guidelines recommend. Decision-making for the treatment of low-grade FTR at the time of left-sided valve surgery should take into consideration not only annular size, but also tethering severity.

Tricuspid valve surgery: repair and replacement.

The tricuspid valve has historically received less attention than any other cardiac valve with regard to pathophysiology and surgical management. The tricuspid valve is part of a complex functional apparatus that includes the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary circulation. Functional tricuspid regurgitation is the most common tricuspid valve disease and it occurs secondary to dilatation of tricuspid annulus and/or tethering of valve leaflets from right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. However, recent expansion in the use of right-sided transvenous devices such as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators has been met with a parallel increase in the risk of organic tricuspid disease. Recent data suggest that tricuspid regurgitation is not benign, and many patients will benefit from intervention at the time of left-sided valve surgery, or early in isolated tricuspid valve disease. This review describes the various surgical options and strategies in the treatment of common tricuspid valve diseases. Current American and European guidelines advocate for a more proactive surgical approach in the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation and/or annular dilatation at the time of left-sided valve surgery. Tricuspid annuloplasty is the preferred technique given its superior long-term outcomes. This renewed interest in surgical repair has been ushered by the development of a newer generation of tricuspid annuloplasty rings, as well as technological strides in transcatheter therapies which now extend to include tricuspid pathologies in otherwise inoperable patients with advanced tricuspid disease and cardiomyopathy. Tricuspid disease is not a benign entity. An aggressive approach to surgical management as well as prophylactic interventions are becoming more widely adopted. Aggressive tricuspid surgery however, remains an area of controversy in cardiac surgery, although surgical repair remains the gold standard for functional tricuspid regurgitation with replacement reserved for advanced or organic tricuspid disease. Transcatheter therapy is primarily directed toward non-surgical patients and is not included in this review.

Tricuspid annuloplasty versus a conservative approach in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation undergoing left-sided heart valve surgery: A study-level meta-analysis

BackgroundTricuspid valve (TV) repair at the time of left-sided valve surgery is indicated in patients with either severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) or mild-to-moderate TR with coexistent tricuspid annular dilation or right heart failure. We assessed the benefits of a concomitant TV repair strategy during left-sided surgical valve interventions, focusing on mortality and echocardiographic TR-related outcomes. MethodsA meta-analysis was performed of studies reporting outcomes of patients who underwent left-sided (mitral and/or aortic) valve surgery with or without concomitant TV repair. Primary endpoints were all-cause and cardiac-related mortality; secondary endpoints were the presence of more-than-moderate TR, TR progression, and TR severity grade. All endpoints were evaluated at the longest available follow-up. ResultsFifteen studies were included for a total of 2840 patients. TV repair at the time of left-sided valve surgery was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiac-related mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25–0.58; p<0.001), with a trend towards a lower risk of all-cause mortality (OR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.32–1.05; p=0.07) at a mean weighted follow-up of 6years. The presence of more-than-moderate TR (OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.12–0.30; p<0.001), TR progression (OR 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01–0.05; p<0.001), and TR grade (standardized mean difference −1.11; 95% CI: −1.57 to −0.65; p<0.001) were significantly lower in the TV repair group at a mean weighted follow-up of 4.7years. ConclusionsA concomitant TV repair strategy during left-sided valve surgery is associated with a reduction in cardiac-related mortality and improved echocardiographic TR outcomes at follow-up.

Innovations in tricuspid valve intervention.

Tricuspid valve disease has received much less attention in terms of intervention. The main reason for this is the widely held belief that treatment of left-sided valve disease leads to resolution of functional tricuspid regurgitation. Recent data show that tricuspid regurgitation is not benign and that many patients will benefit from intervention at the time of left-sided valve surgery, or in isolated tricuspid disease. This review describes the latest surgical and interventional options and strategies. Latest valve guidelines now recommend a more aggressive surgical approach to the treatment of moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation, with annuloplasty being the preferred technique. Guidelines now also promote treatment of isolated significant tricuspid dilatation even without significant regurgitation, as a prophylactic strategy to prevent disease progression. This renewed interest in surgical repair has been accompanied by development of newer tricuspid annuloplasty rings. For patients in whom surgery would be high risk, transcatheter therapies are emerging as a promising alternative. Various repair devices have reported early experience. Recent surgical and transcatheter innovations in the treatment of tricuspid valve disease are promising and have the potential of removing the stigma of the tricuspid valve as the 'forgotten valve'.

Residual Tricuspid Regurgitation following Tricuspid Valve Repair during Concomitant Valve Surgery Worsens Late Survival.

Concomitant tricuspid valve repair (TVr) for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at the time of left-sided valve surgery has become increasingly more common over the past decade. The impact of residual post-repair TR on late outcomes remains unclear. All patients undergoing TVr during concomitant left-sided valve surgery at our institution from 2005-2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into 2 groups according to the degree of post-cardiopulmonary bypass TR observed on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography; 0-1+ TR (No TR, n = 246) and ≥2+ TR (Residual TR, n = 26). Primary outcomes of interest were 30-day survival, 4-year survival, and follow-up TR grade. A propensity-matched subgroup analysis was performed in addition to the overall cohort analysis. Mean age for all patients was 70.3 ± 13.0 years and 107 (39%) patients were male. There was no difference in 30-day survival between groups (92% No TR versus 96% Residual TR, P = .70). Kaplan-Meier analysis of overall 4-year survival showed a trend toward worsened survival in the Residual TR group (log rank P = .17) and propensity-matched subgroup analysis showed significantly worse 4-year survival for Residual TR (log rank P = .02). At mean echocardiographic follow up of 11.9 ± 22.5 months, TR grade was significantly worse in the Residual TR group compared to No TR (1.5 ± 0.8 Residual TR versus 0.9 ± 0.9 No TR, P = .005), although TR severity was significantly improved from immediately post-bypass. Patients left with residual TR following TVr during concomitant left-sided valve surgery have significantly decreased late survival compared to patients left with no post-repair TR.

Indications for Surgery for Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Despite the fact that tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can result in significant symptoms, patients are rarely referred for isolated surgical repair, or replacement, and most surgeries are performed in the context of other planned cardiac surgery. In this article, we review the different causes of TR, the natural history of untreated severe TR, indications and timing for isolated TR surgery, indications for TR surgery performed at the time of left-sided valve surgery, and surgical approaches for correction of TR.