Tricuspid Valve Repair In Patients Research Articles

Commentator Discussion: Is concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair safe and effective?

Commentator Discussion: Is concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair safe and effective?

Is concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair safe and effective?

ObjectivesRobotic-assisted mitral valve repair (MVr) is a well-established procedure for management of degenerative mitral valve disease. Limited data regarding concomitant robotic-assisted tricuspid valve repair (TVr) is available. This review investigates prevalence and outcomes of concomitant robotic-assisted mitral and tricuspid valve repair. MethodsFrom 2014 to 2022, 839 patients underwent robotic-assisted MVr, including 76 patients with moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation and/or tricuspid annular dilatation ≥40 mm. Among the 76 patients, 19 (25%) underwent isolated MVr and 57 (75%) had concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Outcome data between the 2 groups were analyzed. ResultsIn the MVr/TVr group, tricuspid regurgitation grades were mild in 4 (7%) patients, moderate in 44 (77%) and severe in 9 (15.7%). Significant tricuspid annular dilatation ≥40 mm was present in all patients. In the isolated MVr group, 3 (15.7%) patients had mild tricuspid regurgitation and 16 (84.2%) had moderate tricuspid regurgitation with significant tricuspid annular dilatation present in only 6 patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp time were 130.6 and 91 minutes versus 85 and 55.4 minutes for robotic MVr/TVr group versus MVr group, respectively (P < .05). The intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were similar: 27.7 versus 27.7 hours and 4.4 versus 4.2 days for MVr/TVr versus MVr (P = .24), respectively. There were no perioperative deaths or heart block in either group. Survival and freedom from reoperation with median follow-up of 16 and 46 months for MVr/TVr and MVr groups, respectively were 100%. ConclusionsConcomitant robotic-assisted tricuspid valve repair for functional regurgitation can be safely and effectively performed at the time of mitral valve repair with excellent short-term morbidity and mortality results.

Rigid ring vs. flexible band for tricuspid valve repair in patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & objectivesRigid ring and Flexible band are techniques used to repair tricuspid valve regurgitation. The comparison between both techniques' effectiveness is controversial in the literature. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of rigid ring versus flexible band for tricuspid valve repair in patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation. MethodsWe conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search was performed in major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL to identify relevant published studies. Data were extracted and analyzed using Stata (version 17 for Mac) and Revman (version 5.4 for Windows). ResultsTwelve studies were included in this meta-analysis. Total number of patients was 4259. The rigid ring wasn't superior to the flexible band in terms of postoperative tricuspid regurgitation RR 0.74, 95 % CI (0.43–1.27) (P = 0.29). However, the results were not homogeneous. After employing sensitivity analysis, the significance of the pooled effect estimate didn't change, showing no significant difference between the two annuloplasty RR 0.72, 95%CI (0.45–1.15). On the other hand, the rigid ring was associated with a higher bypass time than the flexible band (RR 4.85, P = 0.00). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of hospital stay, ICU stays, prolonged ventilation, mechanical ventilation time, annuloplasty size, stroke, concomitant mitral valve surgery, concomitant aortic valve surgery, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker implantation, low cardiac output, in-hospital death, or late death (all P > 0.05). ConclusionOur study findings suggested no difference between rigid ring compared to flexible band regarding the rates of postoperative tricuspid regurgitation; however, rigid ring may encompass a higher bypass time. Therefore, further research is required to ensure our findings.

Durability of Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Objectives: Benefits of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients have been questioned. High TVR failure rates have been reported. Remaining or recurring TR was found to be a risk factor for right heart failure (RHF). Therefore, we assessed our experience. Methods: Since 12/2010, 195 patients have undergone LVAD implantation in our center. Almost half (n = 94, 48%) received concomitant TVR (LVAD+TVR). These patients were included in our analysis. Echocardiographic and clinical data were assessed. Median follow-up was 2.8 years (7 days-0.6 years). Results were correlated with clinical outcomes. Results: LVAD+TVR patients were 59.8 ± 11.4 years old (89.4% male) and 37.3% were INTERMACS level 1 and 2. Preoperative TR was moderate in 28 and severe in 66 patients. RV function was severely impaired in 61 patients reflected by TAPSE-values of 11.2 ± 2.9 mm (vs. 15.7 ± 3.8 mm in n = 33; p < 0.001). Risk for RHF according to EUROMACS-RHF risk score was high (>4 points) in 60 patients, intermediate (>2-4 points) in 19 and low (0-2 points) in 15. RHF occurred in four patients (4.3%). Mean duration of echocardiographic follow-up was 2.8 ± 2.3 years. None of the patients presented with severe and only five (5.3%) with moderate TR. The vast majority (n = 63) had mild TR, and 26 patients had no/trace TR. Survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 77.4%, 68.1% and 55.6%, 30-day mortality was 11.7% (n = 11). Heart transplantation was performed in 12 patients (12.8%). Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, concomitant TVR during LVAD implantation may result in excellent repair durability, which appears to be associated with low risk for RHF.

Outcomes of Concomitant Maze Procedure in Tricuspid Repair for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

We aimed to analyze the impact of concomitant Maze procedure on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and echocardiographic parameters in tricuspid repair for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients who had severe TR and persistent AF and underwent tricuspid valve (TV) repair were included in the study. Both primary TR and secondary TR were included in the current study. The study population was stratified according to Maze procedure. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 15 years post-surgery. Propensity-score matching analyses was performed to adjust baseline differences. Three hundred seventy-one patients who underwent tricuspid repair for severe TR and persistent AF from 1994 to 2021 were included, and 198 patients (53.4%) underwent concomitant Maze procedure. The maze group showed 10-year sinus rhythm (SR) restoration rate of 55%. In the matched cohort, the maze group showed a lower cumulative incidence of cardiac death (4.6% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.131), readmission for heart failure (8.1% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.073), and MACCE (21.1% vs. 42.1%, P = 0.029) at 15 years compared to the non-maze group. Left atrial (LA) diameter significantly decreased in the maze group at 5 years (53.3 vs. 59.6 mm, P < 0.001) after surgery compared to preoperative level, and there was a significant difference in the change of LA diameter over time between the two groups (P = 0.013). The Maze procedure during TV repair in patients with severe TR and persistent AF showed acceptable SR rates and lower MACCE rates compared to those without the procedure, while also promoting LA reverse remodeling.

Discussion to: Pacemaker implantation after concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: Results from the Mini-Mitral International Registry

Discussion to: Pacemaker implantation after concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: Results from the Mini-Mitral International Registry

Pacemaker implantation after concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: Results from the Mini-Mitral International Registry

ObjectiveRandomized evidence suggests a high risk of pacemaker implantation for patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) surgery with concomitant tricuspid valve repair (cTVR). We investigated the impact of cTVR on outcomes in the Mini-Mitral International Registry. MethodsFrom 2015 to 2021, 7513 patients underwent minimally invasive MV with or without cTVR in 17 international centers (MV: n = 5609, cTVR: n = 1113). Propensity matching generated 1110 well-balanced pairs. Multivariable analysis was applied. ResultsPatients with cTVR were older and had more comorbidities. Propensity matching eliminated most differences except for more TR in patients who underwent cTVR (77.2% vs 22.1% MV, P < .001). Mean matched age was 71 years, and 45% were male. European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II was still 2.68% (interquartile range [IQR], 0.80-2.63) vs 1.9% (IQR, 1.12-3.9) in matched MV (P < .001). MV replacement (30%) and atrial fibrillation surgery (32%) were similar in both groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass (161 minutes [IQR, 133-203] vs MV: 130 minutes [IQR, 103-166]; P < .001) and crossclamp times (93 minutes [IQR, 66-123] vs MV: 83 minutes [IQR, 64-107]; P < .001) were longer with cTVR. Although in-hospital mortality was similar (cTVR: 3.3% vs MV: 2.2%; P = .5), postoperative pacemaker implantations (9% vs MV: 5.8%; P = .02), low cardiac output syndrome (7.7% vs MV: 4.4%; P = .02), and acute kidney injury (13.8% vs MV: 10%; P = .01) were more frequent with cTVR. cTVR eliminated relevant TR in most patients (greater-than-moderate TR: 6.8%). Multivariable analysis identified MV replacement, atrial fibrillation, and cTVR as risk factors of postoperative pacemaker implantation. ConclusionscTVR in minimally invasive MV surgery is an independent risk factor for pacemaker implantation in this international registry. It is also associated with more bleeding, low output syndrome, and acute kidney injury. It remains unclear whether technical or patient factors (or both) explain these differences.

Preoperative predictors of recurrent tricuspid regurgitation after annuloplasty: insights into the role of 3D echocardiography

Abstract Introduction There is a growing concern regarding the recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). While TA is an effective treatment option, understanding the echocardiographic factors contributing to recurrent TR can help in developing more effective preventive measures to reduce the rate of recurrent TR after TA. Aim The aim is to investigate the relationship between tricuspid valve (TV) and right ventricular geometry and function parameters with recurrent TR after TA. Methods This study was designed as a prospective observational cohort study to investigate factors contributing to recurrent TR following surgical TV repair in patients with moderate or severe functional TR caused by left heart valvular disease, with severe mitral regurgitation as the dominant pathology. Patients with ischemic heart disease were excluded from the analysis. The study included 65 patients who underwent preoperative 2D and 3D echocardiographic assessments, which included the quantification of right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) geometry, functional and TV parameters. The severity of TR was measured according to the recent ESC guidelines, and patients were divided into two groups based on the outcomes of TA: effective TA (43 patients) and recurrent TR group (22 patients). Effective TA was defined as mild TR one year after surgery, while recurrent TR group was defined as moderate or severe TR. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS statistical software. Results Of the patients, 54% were male, and the mean age was 68±9 years. The distribution of echocardiography parameters among the study groups are shown in Table 1. Analysis revealed that gender, left ventricular and atrial geometrical and functional parameters, or preoperative effective regurgitant TV orifice area did not differ between the groups (recurrent TR vs. effective TA: 33 [28] mm2 vs. 29 [18] mm2, p=0.113 respectively). However, recurrent TR was associated with dilated RV and RA parameters and an increased septal-lateral diameter of tricuspid annulus. RV functional parameters did not show significant associations. Of all preoperative parameters, RV middle (sensitivity 82%, specificity 63%; AUC 0.731) and basal (sensitivity 73%, specificity 65%; AUC 0.725) diameters, tricuspid annulus sphericity index (sensitivity 59%, specificity 70%; AUC 0.718), septal-lateral systolic (sensitivity 59%, specificity 76%; AUC 0.686) diameter, have the highest predictive value for recurrent TR. Conclusion Recurrent moderate or severe functional TR after TA is associated with preoperative tricuspid annulus size, RA and RV geometry, but not with changes of RV function. This information can guide surgical decision-making. To conclude with, improving our understanding of the factors contributing to recurrent TR after TA can improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for reoperations.

Health Status After Transcatheter Tricuspid-Valve Repair in Patients With Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

BackgroundIn the TRILUMINATE Pivotal (Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Treated with the Tricuspid Valve Repair System Pivotal), tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) reduced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and improved health status compared with medical therapy alone with no benefit on heart failure hospitalizations or survival. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to better understand the health status benefits of T-TEER within the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial. MethodsTRILUMINATE randomized patients with severe TR to T-TEER (n = 175) or medical therapy (n = 175). Health status was assessed at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 months with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) (range 0-100; higher = better), which was compared between treatment groups using mixed effects linear regression. Alive and well was defined as KCCQ overall summary score ≥60 and no decline from baseline of >10 points at 1 year. ResultsCompared with medical therapy, T-TEER significantly improved health status at 1 month (mean between-group difference in KCCQ overall summary score 9.4 points; 95% CI: 5.3-13.4 points), with a small additional improvement at 1 year (mean between-group difference 10.4 points; 95% CI: 6.3-14.6 points). T-TEER patients were more likely to be alive and well at 1 year (T-TEER vs medical therapy: 74.8% vs 45.9%; P < 0.001), with a number needed to treat of 3.5. Interaction analyses demonstrated that the benefit of T-TEER diminished as baseline KCCQ overall summary score increased (Pint < 0.001). Exploratory analyses suggested that much of the health status benefit of T-TEER could be explained by TR reduction and that improvement in health status after T-TEER was strongly correlated with reduced 1-year mortality and heart failure hospitalization. ConclusionsT-TEER with the TriClip system resulted in substantial and sustained health status improvement in patients with severe TR compared with medical therapy alone.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement: Case Selection, Technical Considerations, and Procedural Planning

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a highly prevalent valve disorder in the US, with prevalence increasing with age. Without treatment, severe TR carries a poor prognosis. Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is recommended for patients with severe TR undergoing left-sided valve surgery. Transcatheter TV repair or transcatheter TV replacement are potential options for patients who are not surgical candidates. A few small studies have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of transcatheter TV repair in patients with severe symptomatic TR. Careful patient selection by assessing tricuspid valve anatomy, right ventricular and pulmonary hemodynamics, candidacy for anticoagulation, comorbid conditions, and frailty is key to procedural success. Transcatheter TV repair can be performed via the transjugular or transfemoral access, and requires a large-caliber sheath (up to 45 Fr) and delivery system, particularly with dilated tricuspid annulus due to right ventricular enlargement. Multimodality imaging is essential for diagnosing TR severity, defining valve anatomy, and comprehensive functional assessment of the tricuspid valve, right atrium, and right ventricle. Several prosthetic valves, including the EVOQUE system, NaviGate system, Intrepid valve, and Cardiovalve, are currently being investigated in clinical trials.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients with Cardiac Implanted Electrical Devices and Trans-Tricuspid Leads.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair using the edge-to-edge-technique (TEER) has emerged as an alternative therapy in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high surgical risk. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of tricuspid valve TEER in patients with cardiac implanted electric devices (CIEDs). All patients who underwent tricuspid valve TEER at our center were retrospectively included. Patients were classified according to the presence of CIEDs. Procedure success was defined as implantation of at least one clip and the reduction of TR of at least one grade. Procedure success and intrahospital outcome were compared between the two groups. One-hundred and six consecutive patients underwent tricuspid TEER (age 80.1 ± 6.4 years, male = 42; 39.6%). Among them, 25 patients (23.6%, age 80.6 ± 7.3 years, male = 14; 56%) had CIEDs. Patients with CIEDs had a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) compared to those without CIEDs (47.2 ± 15% vs. 56.2 ± 8.2%, p = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, arterial hypertension was more common in patients with CIEDs (96% vs. 79%, p = 0.048). The success of the procedure did not differ between the non-CIED vs. CIED group (93.8% vs. 92%, p = 0.748). Furthermore, the number and position of implanted clips, the duration of the procedure, the post-procedural pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve, and post-procedural TR severity were comparable between both groups. Tricuspid valve TEER is feasible and efficient in patients with CIEDs. The success of the procedure, as well as the intrahospital outcome were comparable between patients with and without CIEDs.

Surgical Outcomes of Repairing Ebstein Anomaly: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Ebstein anomaly (EA) is a rare congenital disorder of the tricuspid valve (TV), accounting for about one percent of congenital heart defects. Considering highly variable anatomy, diverse corrective surgical methods are currently utilized. Cone reconstruction provides a near anatomic tricuspid restoration method that has triggered enthusiasm for early repair over recent years. Objectives: In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic features and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical correction of EA in our referral center. Methods: In this study, we reviewed the medical records of 35 patients with EA who underwent cone repair or TV replacement and had accessible echocardiographic data before and at least one year following the corrective surgery. The patients were evaluated for residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity, right ventricular (RV) size, RV fractional area change (FAC), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and 2D left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before and after the operation. Results: Mean age of the patients was 29.49 ± 9.13 years, and 54.3% of them were female. Twenty-one (60%) patients underwent cone repair, and 14 were subjected to TV replacement. Seven (20%) patients required reoperation; redo TV repair was conducted in three patients (8.6%); two (5.7%) patients underwent biologic TV replacement; mechanical TV replacement was performed in one patient (2.9%) who had degenerative biologic TVs, and one patient (2.9%) was subjected to redo-operation due to mechanical TV malfunction. Positive changes in the means of RV-FAC and 2D-LVEF were statistically significant in all patients irrespective of the type of surgery (P &lt; 0.001), but changes in the means of RV size (P = 0.38) and LVESD (P = 0.302) were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase in functional RV size in both groups of patients who underwent repair (P = 0.063) or replacement (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The present study revealed satisfactory post-op results for cone TV repair in patients with EA, evidenced by reduced TR severity and improved biventricular functional parameters. Assessing the durability of the outcomes of cone TV repair needs longer-term follow-ups.

Effect of Tricuspid Repair on Pacemaker Rate After Mitral Repair Is Higher in Degenerative Disease

BackgroundPermanent pacemaker (PPM) placement after mitral valve (MV) repair is affected by concomitant procedures, yet existing literature reports conflicting rates. We aimed to characterize the effect of concomitant operation on risk of need for postoperative PPM in patients who underwent MV repair. MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database (1996-2020) was conducted of consecutive patients undergoing MV repair, including concomitant procedures. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of a concomitant procedure on PPM rate. ResultsOf the 2824 patients undergoing MV repair, 6% (177/2824) required a PPM. The likelihood of PPM varied with concomitant procedures: aortic valve replacement (39/258 [15%]), coronary artery bypass grafting (86/789 [11%]), tricuspid valve (TV) repair (33/326 [10%]), and maze (27/407 [7%]). Increased PPM rate was associated with aortic valve replacement (odds ratio [OR], 2.2 [1.5-3.3]; P < .001), reduced ejection fraction (OR, 1.02 [1.01-1.04]; P < .001), and older age (OR, 1.04 [1.03-1.06]; P < .001). Concurrent TV repair was not associated with pacemaker in patients undergoing MV repair (P = .8) or MV repair for nondegenerative mitral regurgitation (P = .9). In patients with degenerative MV disease, PPM rate increased from 1.9% (21/1133) to 10% (11/109) with concomitant TV repair (P < .001), and TV repair was associated with a 3-fold increased pacemaker rate (OR, 3.1 [1.6-5.9]; P < .001). ConclusionsIn MV repair, risk of pacemaker with concomitant TV repair should be weighed more heavily in degenerative MV disease. Pacemaker risk should not discourage surgeons from performing TV repair in patients with nondegenerative MV disease, in patients already undergoing concomitant operation or with clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation.

Initial experience with transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Wildtype transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy is an under-recognized cause of heart failure in elderly patients. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair is a newly emerging therapeutic option for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We present first insights into safety and possible benefits of this procedure in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Eight patients with cardiac non-hereditary (wildtype) transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis and severe to torrential TR, undergoing successful transcatheter tricuspid valve repair, were included in the analysis and compared to a control group of 21 patients without cardiac amyloidosis. All patients presented with an advanced stage of amyloid cardiomyopathy. Primary endpoint was reduction in TR at 3months follow-up. Secondary endpoints were feasibility, safety, hospitalization or death, clinical improvement, cardiac biomarkers, and structural and functional right heart parameter obtained by echocardiography. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair resulted in a significant reduction of TR (IV to II, P=0.008) in all eight patients with cardiac amyloidosis (100%). Device success (amyloidosis 75% vs. control group 86%, P=0.597) and overall probability of hospitalization or death (amyloidosis 13% vs. control group 25%, P=0.646) were similar compared with those in the control group at 3months follow-up. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair led to an improvement of New York Heart Association functional class (P=0.031) and 6min walking distance (from 313±118 to 337±106, P=0.012). TR reduction in amyloidosis patients was less extensive compared with that in control group (TR-reduction 1.6±0.3, P=0.008 vs. control group 2.3±0.3, P<0.0001). Furthermore, these patients showed no significant improvement of structural right heart parameters. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair is a safe and feasible new treatment option in patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy and has the potential to improve TR-grade and clinical status. However, the benefit appears to be less pronounced compared with patients without cardiac amyloidosis.

Tricuspid Valve Tethering Is Associated with Residual Regurgitation after Valve Repair in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study

Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Surgical tricuspid valve (TV) repair is common, but durable repair remains challenging. The aim of this study was to examine mechanisms of TR requiring surgery, features associated with unsuccessful repair, and TV changes after surgical repair. Thirty-six patients with HLHS requiring TV repair (TVR) and 36 matched control subjects with HLHS were assessed using two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiography. Using three-dimensional echocardiography, TV coordinates from the annulus, leaflet, and ventricle were used to measure annular, leaflet, prolapse, and tethering values and anterior papillary muscle angle. TR grade and ventricular size, function, and shape were assessed using two-dimensional echocardiography. Patients requiring TVR had greater total leaflet prolapse, larger TV annular and leaflet areas, and flatter annuli, with no difference in tethering, coaptation index, or anterior papillary muscle angle. In patients with HLHS, successful TVR at follow-up (58%) was associated with preoperative total leaflet prolapse (especially posterior). Unsuccessful repair was associated with preoperative tethering of the septal leaflet. TVR in patients with HLHS caused a reduction of total annular and leaflet size and reduced prolapse and tethering of the posterior leaflet but did not affect anterior leaflet prolapse or septal leaflet tethering. Features associated with TVR include a flattened and dilated TV annulus with leaflet prolapse. The additional presence of a tethered septal leaflet before TVR is associated with significant postoperative TR. Current surgical techniques, predominantly posterior annuloplasty and commissuroplasty, adequately address annular size and posterior leaflet pathology, but not septal leaflet tethering. Individualized and innovative surgical techniques are vital to improve surgical repair success.

Tricuspid valve repair in isolated tricuspid pathology: a 12-year single center experience

ObjectivesLong-term data on isolated surgical tricuspid valve procedures is limited. Current guidelines on heart valve disease recommend valve repair over valve replacement. In this study we report our 12-year single-center experience with isolated surgical tricuspid valve repair in patients with various tricuspid valve pathologies.MethodsBetween May 2007 and December 2019, 26 consecutive patients underwent isolated tricuspid valve annuloplasty/repair for various indications. In 18 patients (69.2%) an open ring or band annuloplasty (26.9 and 42.3%, respectively) was performed, 5 patients (19.2%) underwent a tightening of the annulus using the DeVega technique, 5 patients (19.2%) had a leaflet reconstruction with patch or bicuspidalization and in 3 patients (11.5%) a leaflet debridement was performed. In 15.4% of the cohort a combination of the techniques was utilized.ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 2.1 (0.3–5.0) years. Early survival at 30 days after surgery was 84.6%. Mean hospital stay was 11 (6.7–16) days. One-year survival was 73%. No patient required a redo procedure on the tricuspid valve during follow-up.ConclusionTricuspid valve repair is suggested as a treatment of choice according to recent guidelines on heart valve disease. If chosen correctly, various repair techniques provide good long-term results. Tricuspid valve repair may be safely applied in patients undergoing surgical isolated tricuspid valve procedures.

Long-term outcomes of concomitant tricuspid valve repair in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery

BackgroundWe aimed to find out how the concomitant performance of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) affects outcomes of patients undergoing mitral valve surgery (MVS).MethodsSingle-centre, retrospective analysis of 1357 patients who underwent MVS between January 2005 and December 2015, including 1165 patients with isolated MVS and 192 patients with MVS plus TVR. We used propensity scores to match patients for baseline characteristics other than valve related parameters and arrived at a matched sample of 182 patients per group.ResultsThe overall procedure duration was longer in the MVS + TVR (224 min) versus the MVS group (176 min; p < 0.001), as were the duration of mechanical ventilation (13 vs. 11 h; p < 0.001), X-clamp (90.5 vs. 66 min; p < 0.001) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (136 vs. 95.5 min; p < 0.001). Rates of procedural complications were not different between groups with the exception of pacemaker rates which were 16.0% in the MVS + TVR group and 8.8% in the isolated MVS group (p = 0.037).There was no difference in death rates within 30 days, stroke, myocardial infarction or repeat MVS. The long-term survival rate was 60.8% in the MVS + TVR vs. 57.5% in the isolated MVS group (HR 1.048; 95%CI 0.737–1.492; p = 0.794). The rate of grade III/IV tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remained low after MVS + TVR during long-term follow-up while the rate of grade ≥ II TR increased slightly in the isolated MVS group.ConclusionThe data show that the concomitant performance of TVR in patients undergoing MVS is a safe and effective procedure with good long-term outcomes. Patients can undergo MVS + TVR with confidence as it improves their prognosis up to the level of patients undergoing isolated MVS.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Intracardiac echocardiography to enable successful edge-to-edge transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in patients with insufficient TEE quality.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a guiding tool for edge-to-edge transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (EETVr) using MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, USA) may not offer sufficient image quality in a significant proportion of patients. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as additional guiding tool in EETVr with the MitraClip device. Appropriate angulations of the ICE catheter to visualize each commissure of the tricuspid valve were established in 3D printed heart models. In a single tertiary-care center ICE was used to support EETVr as additional guidance when TEE image quality was insufficient. Procedural safety and outcomes up to 30-days were compared between ICE/TEE and TEE only guided patients. In 6 of 11 patients (54.5%) undergoing EETVr with MitraClip TEE alone was unsatisfactory, necessitating additional ICE guidance. In 4 of these 6 patients ICE enabled a successful completion of the procedure. The steering maneuvers identified in the 3D models were well applicable in all patients, providing examples for potential future ICE implementation in EETVr. Under both TEE alone (n = 5) and ICE (n = 6) guidance the rate of procedural complications was 0%. According to vena contracta values at discharge significant TR reduction was achievable in the treated cohort (p = 0.011). At 30-days follow-up one patient (ICE guided) died following global heart failure, not associated with the procedure itself. ICE guidance may offer an additional tool to guide EETVr with the MitraClip device in patients with poor TEE quality, as it enables successful results without impairing procedural safety.

Durability and Efficacy of Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the durability of tricuspid valve repair (TVr) performed concurrently with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and its association with the development of late right heart failure (RHF). BackgroundSurgical management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) at the time of LVAD implantation is performed in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of postoperative RHF. Limited data exist regarding the durability of TVr in patients with LVAD as well as its impact on development of late RHF. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of consecutive adult patients who underwent durable LVAD implantation and concurrent TVr at the authors’ institution between 2009 and 2017. Late RHF was defined as readmission for HF requiring inotropic or diuretic therapy. TVr failure was defined as moderate or severe TR at any follow-up echocardiographic examination after LVAD implantation. ResultsA total of 156 patients underwent LVAD and concurrent TVr during the study. Of the total, 59 patients (37.8%) had a failed TVr. The mean duration of echocardiographic follow-up was 23 ± 22 months. Of the 146 patients who were discharged after the index hospitalization, 53 patients (36.3%) developed late RHF. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that TVr failure was an independent predictor of late RHF development (hazard ratio: 2.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.38 to 4.96; p = 0.003). ConclusionsFailure of TVr in this cohort occurred at a significant rate. Failure of TVr is an independent risk factor for development of late RHF. Future studies should investigate strategies to reduce recurrence of significant TR.