三尖瓣环成形治疗功能性三尖瓣反流245例总结

目的:对比DeVegar成形术与使用成形环三尖瓣环成形方法在治疗中、重度功能性三尖瓣反流中的有效性.方法:自2003-01至2006-01,对245例中度至重度功能性三尖瓣反流的患者施行了三尖瓣环成形手术.其中,115例施行了De-Vegar成形术(DeVegar成形组),130例使用了三尖瓣成形环(成形环组).成形环组选用的成形环包括:Sovering成形环(n=37)、Carpentier-Edwards Classic成形环(n=41)及Edwards MC3成形环(n=52).结果:245例患者围手术期共死亡8名,死亡率3.3%.随访期末,DeVegar成形组与成形环组的左心室射血分数、肺动脉收缩压差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).DeVegar成形组中度以上三尖瓣反流为21.3%(23/108);成形环组中度以上三尖瓣反流为12.7%(15/118),两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论:在功能性三尖瓣反流治疗中,使用三尖瓣成形环进行三尖瓣成形具有更良好的中期疗效.     

自体心包三尖瓣成形与人工瓣环三尖瓣成形的中远期疗效比较

目的 比较自体心包条三尖瓣成形与人工瓣环三尖瓣成形治疗功能性三尖瓣反流的中远期疗效.方法 将2000-2010年间收治的76例功能性三尖瓣反流患者随机分为两组：A组（46例）以人工瓣环行三尖瓣成形,B组（30例）以自体心包条环缩三尖瓣环行三尖瓣成形.分别于术后3年、5年、8年对两组患者右心房内径、右心室内径和三尖瓣反流程度进行对比观察.结果 术后心功能分级较术前提高1～2级,两组患者右心房内径、右心室内径和三尖瓣反流面积比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 自体心包三尖瓣环成形术是治疗功能性三尖瓣反流的有效方法,其中远期疗效与人工瓣环三尖瓣成形术相似,但治疗费用明显降低.     

Carpenter环三尖瓣成形术治疗左心瓣膜病合并的三尖瓣关闭不全

应用Carpenter环三尖瓣成形术治疗左心系统瓣膜病合并三尖瓣关闭不全25例.18例放置28号人工瓣环者出院时无1例出现三尖瓣少量以上反流,3例放置30#环者出院时出现三尖瓣少量以上反流1例,中量反流2例;3例放置32#瓣环者术后出现三尖瓣少量以上反流1例.认为采用成形环同期三尖瓣成形术治疗左心系统瓣膜病合并三尖瓣关闭不全患者的三尖瓣病变,安全有效.     

三尖瓣反流的手术治疗

三尖瓣返流(The tricuspid regurgitation ,TR)往往是继发性功能性反流。因此, 最初认为大多数患者行左侧心脏瓣膜手术治疗后三尖瓣反流问题就自然恢复。然而,在最近的研究中发现残留或复发TR显示均有预后不良,所以说三尖瓣被称为“被遗忘的瓣膜”。经过对三尖瓣有解剖上的三维结构研究,发现三尖瓣环不同与“马鞍形”的二尖瓣环,并且三尖瓣的关闭不全不同于二尖瓣的关闭不全,三尖瓣的成形决定于三尖瓣的反流程度及瓣环的扩张程度,三尖瓣成形术后防止返流情况显示长期结果优于三尖瓣置换,本文将进行对三尖瓣成形手术是否应用成形环或其他手术术式治疗进行综述。     

成形环治疗三尖瓣关闭不全的疗效及复发因素分析

目的总结应用成形环治疗功能性三尖瓣关闭不全(FTR)的治疗效果及术后复发危险因素分析。方法以简阳市人民医院心血管外科2012年10月至2015年12月在心脏瓣膜手术同期使用人工瓣环行三尖瓣成形术的124例患者为研究对象,进行单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析,找出影响三尖瓣成形术后复发三尖瓣反流(TR)的危险因素。结果全组患者随访2～5年,随访期末三尖瓣反流构成比明显改善,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。单因素分析显示,术前纽约心脏协会心功能分级(NYHA)3级、术前左心房前后径(LA)、术后右心房横径(RA)、术后右心室内径(RV)、合并心房颤动、瓣环类型、术前三尖瓣反流程度重、术后右心室缩短率与三尖瓣成形术后复发有关;经多因素Lgostic回归分析显示,术前左心房前后径60 mm、术前三尖瓣反流程度重、术后右心室缩短率是三尖瓣成形术后复发三尖瓣反流的独立危险因素。与传统的佰仁思硬环相比,MC3 Edwards成形环能更有效地减少术后三尖瓣反流的发生。结论三尖瓣成形术后三尖瓣反流的发生与患者术前左心房前后径60 mm、术前三尖瓣反流程度重、术后右心室缩短率、瓣环类型有关。应用硬质成形环行三尖瓣成形治疗功能性三尖瓣关闭不全,近中期疗效好。     

风湿性心脏病左心瓣膜置换同期三尖瓣成形术的效果分析

目的回顾性分析风湿性心脏病(风心病)左心瓣膜置换同期行三尖瓣成形术患者的资料,探讨不同三尖瓣成形手术的临床疗效分析。方法 45例风心病二尖瓣、主动脉瓣病变患者行人工机械瓣置换术,同期行三尖瓣成形术,采用Kay法15例、De Vega法18例及成形环成形12例,术后1、3、6个月通过超声心动图、心电图、胸部X片随访观察,评估术后心功能、三尖瓣反流及心电生理等恢复情况。结果各组患者术前一般临床资料比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后心功能均较术前有改善,成形环成形术后三尖瓣反流较Kay法、De Vega法改善明显,Kay法和De Vega法组患者的三尖瓣反流比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后均未发生房室传导阻滞等缓慢性心律失常。有2例Kay法和1例De Vega法术后患者因心功能不全再次入院治疗,1例成形环成形术后心包积液行心包穿刺术治疗恢复。结论风心病左心瓣膜置换同期行三尖瓣成形术,术后心功能改善明显。成形环成形法较Kay法、De Vega法术后三尖瓣反流再发生率低,值得在三尖瓣反流的患者中推广应用。     

风湿性二尖瓣病变继发三尖瓣关闭不全的外科治疗

目的探讨重度二尖瓣病变合并功能性三尖瓣关闭不全合理手术指征、方法及围手术期处理。方法回顾分析三尖瓣成形矫正功能性三尖瓣关闭不全84例,男性52例,女性32例,年龄12～69岁,其中采用Devega成形30例,节段性Devega成形34例,Key’s成形和改良Key’s成形各10例。同时施行二尖瓣置换52例,二尖瓣+主动脉瓣置换32例。结果术后早期死亡4例,死亡率48%;迟发性心包压塞6例均经心包引流治愈。随访3个月～15年,获访66例,2例死于顽固性心力衰竭,其余心功能均明显改善。超声心动图示右心房右心室较术前明显缩小。26例三尖瓣仍有轻、中度反流。结论根据三尖瓣环扩大部位和反流程度,选择不同成形方式对功能性三尖瓣关闭不全治疗满意。围手术期及术后加强强心、利尿、扩血管治疗及有效降低肺动脉高压,可进一步提高三尖瓣成形近、远期疗效。     

三维成形环治疗老年风湿性心脏瓣膜病继发性三尖瓣关闭不全的疗效

目的 比较三尖瓣人工瓣环成形术与缝线成形术对老年风湿性心脏瓣膜病三尖瓣关闭不全患者的成形效果.方法 选择分析2008年1月至2010年7月收治的69例老年风湿性心脏瓣膜病继发性三尖瓣关闭不全患者的临床资料.69例患者分为缝线成形组及人工瓣环组.两组间在术前三尖瓣反流程度、心功能分级(NYHA分级)、肺动脉压力等方面均无明显差异.观察和分析两组患者术前及术后的右心房内径(RAD)、右心室前后径(RVD)、三尖瓣反流面积、心排出量(C0).结果 两组病例均无手术死亡及住院死亡.两组患者组内术后1 w、术后6个月右心房内径、右心室前后径、三尖瓣反流面积较术前有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组内心排出量术后6个月有统计学意义(P＜0.05);组间三尖瓣反流面积差别有统计学意义(P＜0.05);组间心排出量术后6个月有统计学意义(P＜0.05).术后6个月,缝线成形组出现4例(4/36)三尖瓣重度反流;人工瓣环组未出现三尖瓣重度反流.结论 缝线成形术和人工瓣环成形术均是治疗风湿性心脏瓣膜病继发性三尖瓣关闭不全的有效方法;三尖瓣人工瓣环成形术成形效果优于缝线成形术;左心瓣膜手术同期行三尖瓣成形术可明显增加术后中期心排出量,改善心功能.     

三尖瓣硬质三维成形环治疗左心系统瓣膜疾病合并功能性三尖瓣关闭不全110例临床分析

越来越多的证据显示,三尖瓣反流在左心瓣膜疾病纠正后难以自行改善,如果不对三尖瓣病变加以处理,三尖瓣反流可持续存在并可逐渐加重导致右心功能衰竭[1].因而,目前普遍认为,三尖瓣关闭不全尤其是中度以上的三尖瓣关闭不全应积极行三尖瓣成形术治疗[2].文献报道,使用成形环的三尖瓣成形术远期效果优于不使用成形环的三尖瓣成形术[3].但使用成形环的术式中,究竟应选择何种成形环,无统一标准,自2007年9月至2010年5月我院对110例左心系统瓣膜疾病合并三尖瓣反流的患者在实施左心系统瓣膜置换或成形手术同期以三尖瓣硬质三维成形环行三尖瓣成形手术,取得良好疗效.     

Carpentier成形环与经典De Vega环缩术治疗三尖瓣关闭不全临床疗效分析

目的观察对比经典De Vega环缩术与Carpentier成形环治疗三尖瓣关闭不全的临床疗效。方法对46例左心系统瓣膜病合并三尖瓣中重度关闭不全的患者,在左心系统瓣膜置换手术的同时,采用两种不同的方式行三尖瓣成形术。其中24例应用Carpentier成形环行三尖瓣成形术,22例行经典De Vega环缩术。采用回顾性临床研究方法,对两组患者术后三尖瓣反流程度、左室射血分数、右心室舒张期末内径进行比较。结果术后两组患者均无死亡,恢复良好。术后早期超声结果证实,两组患者三尖瓣成形效果均良好,心功能均较术前改善,差异无统计学意义(P<0.05)。但远期随访显示,Carpentier成形环组较经典De Vega组效果佳,经典De Vega组三尖瓣反流程度及例数多于成形环组,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论采用Carpentier成形环行三尖瓣成形术治疗三尖瓣关闭不全,效果优于经典De Vega环缩术。     

Surgical treatment of late tricuspid regurgitation after left cardiac valve replacement

BACKGROUND: The development of late tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following left cardiac valve replacement is an important complication, as it is associated with a severe impairment of exercise capacity and a poor symptomatic outcome. The pathogenesis of this condition remains poorly defined. It is still a challenge in terms of its prevention, treatment and indications for surgical correction. AIMS: To investigate the possible pathogenesis and report the surgical results of the late TR after left cardiac valve replacement. METHODS: There were 56 patients with moderate to severe TR after left cardiac valve replacement, divided into normal prosthesis group (10 patients with normal prosthetic valve function) and dysfunctional prosthesis group (46 patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction). In the normal prosthesis group, 4 patients underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) and 6 patients underwent combined mitral and aortic valve replacement (DVR). Patients in the dysfunctional prosthesis group included MVR in 36, aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 4 and DVR in 6, with bioprosthetic valve dysfunction occurring in 18, mechanical prosthetic valve obstruction in 22 and periprosthetic valve leakage in 6 patients. At the initial operation, 10 patients underwent DeVega's tricuspid annuloplasty and 46 patients' tricuspid valves were normal. At the second operation, the surgical treatment of TR included tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in 9 and tricuspid annuloplasty in 47. RESULTS: Two patients died postoperatively giving a 3.6% hospital mortality. The 54 survivors were followed up for 6-132 months (mean of 79.4 months). Heart function improved significantly in 8 with TVR and in 40 with tricuspid annuloplasty. Echocardiography showed moderate TR in 5 and severe TR in 1 patient with tricuspid annuloplasty who need a further surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hypertension, myocardial dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation might be responsible for the development of late TR after left cardiac valve replacement. Tricuspid annuloplasty, as the surgical method of first choice, resulted in improvement in 87% of patients with late TR after left cardiac valve replacement. TVR can also be safely applied to repair organic disease and the extremely dilated tricuspid valve annulus. If the TR area is more than 25cm(2), the TVR is recommended.     

New Ring Annuloplasty for Extremely Dilated Tricuspid Valve Annulus: Plication to Physiologic Septal Segment Size and Over-Reduction of Posterior Segment

We describe a tricuspid valve ring annuloplasty for a 67-year-old woman who had an extremely dilated tricuspid valve annulus. During surgery, we found that the septal segment of the annulus was dilated to 60 mm, nearly double its normal size. Therefore, a standard annuloplasty without a prosthetic ring seemed unlikely to provide the needed annular plication. We used a 28-mm prosthetic ring, about the size of a normal septal segment, to plicate it. First, 5 U-shaped sutures, with 1 at each septal commissure, were used to plicate the septal segment to its physiologic size. Next, U-shaped sutures for the posterior and anterior segments were used to reduce the length of the posterior segment much more than that of the anterior segment. The septal sutures were then passed equidistantly between 2 markers on the prosthetic ring, and the remaining sutures were passed equidistantly through the ring. Finally, the prosthetic ring was affixed to the tricuspid annulus. Echocardiography revealed trivial tricuspid valve regurgitation postoperatively. In cases of dilated tricuspid valve annulus, particularly when the septal segment is very dilated, some modification of the annuloplasty may be needed. The physiologic size of the septal segment of the tricuspid valve annulus and the relative physiologic proportions of the anterior and posterior segments should be taken into consideration.Key words: Dilatation, pathologic; heart valve prosthesis implantation/methods; tricuspid valve insufficiency/surgeryAlthough several annuloplasty methods for the correction of functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) have been described,^1–5 there is no agreement about which is best.⁶ Moreover, only a few studies have evaluated the benefits of selecting an annuloplasty method by analyzing the size of each segment of the tricuspid valve annulus.^1,6 Here—within the context of a case of extremely dilated tricuspid valve annulus in which there was particular dilation of the septal segment—we describe a new approach to tricuspid annuloplasty on the basis of the physiologic size of each segment of the annulus.     

成形软环应用于三尖瓣关闭不全修复的疗效评价

目的:了解国产三尖瓣成形软环对继发于左心系统瓣膜病变造成的三尖瓣关闭不全的治疗效果. 方法:自2002-08至2004-08,我院收治的63例继发性三尖瓣关闭不全病人,在行左心系统瓣膜病变矫治时,应用国产三尖瓣成形软环同期行三尖瓣成形术.49例病人获得随诊,平均随诊时间为17.4±10.3(3～33)个月. 结果:63例病人在术后早期均治愈出院.49例病人随诊时有l例病人死于非三尖瓣成形所致原因;其余48例随诊病人较术前症状均有改善,心功能较术前提高,超声检查示三尖瓣中量反流3例,大量反流1例. 结论:国产三尖瓣成形软环对三尖瓣关闭不全有明显的治疗效果.成形效果优劣的关键在于术中对三尖瓣瓣环的有效处理.三尖瓣瓣环越大,则更应选择相对较小的人工瓣环,成形时不仅要缩小三尖瓣的游离缘瓣环,还要将部分三尖瓣隔瓣瓣环予以缩小和固定.     

Tricuspidal annuloplasty. Results and complications

Between 1976 and 1979, 76 patients underwent tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) for predominant tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The TR was functional (secondary to mitral valve disease) in 70, postrheumatic in 4, posttraumatic in one and secondary to myxomatous degeneration in one. The mean preoperative functional class was 3.05 and cardiac index 2.15 +/- 0.53 l/min/m2. All but 8 were in atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vascular resistance over 250 dyn x sec x cm-5 was present in 28 patients. The original de Vega technique was applied in 55, a modified annuloplasty technique was used in the remaining 21 cases. There were 3 early and 6 late deaths, none being related to annuloplasty. One early and 2 late complications were attributable to tricuspid annuloplasty. At control after 6 months, 64 of 72 patients had improved at least one functional class. Three presented moderate TR on clinical examination. Mean observation time now averages 30 months (20 to 48 months). De Vega annuloplasty is a safe and effective method for the treatment of functional TR. It is of particular value during the early postoperative period in preventing right ventricular overload.     

De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty for systemic tricuspid regurgitation in children with univentricular physiology

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is problematic in children with univentricular physiology and a systemic tricuspid valve occasionally requiring tricuspid (systemic atrioventricular) valve replacement. Since 1998, the De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty technique has been applied for TR in these children. METHODS: Twelve children (median age 2.2 years; range: 6 months to 17 years) with moderate or severe systemic TR underwent a De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty during a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis (n = 3), Fontan procedure (n = 8) or aortic valve replacement late after a Fontan procedure (n = 1). Nine patients (75%) had prior Norwood palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Four patients had simultaneous repair of an abnormal tricuspid valve in addition to the De Vega procedure. RESULTS: There were no deaths during a mean follow up of 2.0 +/- 1.4 years (range: 6 months to 5.1 years). One child required pacemaker implantation early after operation, and one child with a Glenn anastomosis underwent cardiac transplantation 21 months postoperatively. In the remaining 11 patients, the most recent echocardiogram showed mild or no TR in eight children, mild-to-moderate TR in one child, and moderate TR in two children. No child had symptomatic TR (including the two with moderate TR), significant tricuspid stenosis, or late pacemaker implantation. CONCLUSION: The De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty safely provides excellent relief of systemic TR in children with univentricular physiology, with a majority of patients (73%) having mild or less residual TR at follow up examination. This simple technique is preferred to tricuspid (systemic) valve replacement in these children.     

功能性三尖瓣关闭不全术后残余返流的危险因素分析

目的：对我院施行的带四个垫片的改良Devega术及佰仁思软成形环成形术治疗功能性三尖瓣关闭不全的112例患者术前和术后4~5年随访时的临床资料进行统计,通过对功能性三尖瓣返流术后残余返流的危险因素进行分析及结合历年文献报道,得出引起三尖瓣术后出现残余返流的高发危险因素,指导临床,减轻术后再次返流,提高手术疗效。方法：采用回顾性临床研究方法,选择分析自2006年1月至2011年7月在中山大学附属江门市中心医院心脏外科因功能性三尖瓣返流行三尖瓣成形术患者共112例,带四个垫片的改良Devega环缩术58例,其中男性26例,女性32例,平均年龄47.32±10.56岁（20~64岁）和使用佰仁思软成形环的54例,其中男性23例,女性31例,平均年龄50.36±6.35岁（32~65岁）,对所有患者术前一周内,术后4~5年随访时均行超声心动图检查及心功能评估,比较两组患者术后4~5年（中期疗效）三尖瓣返流程度变化并分析影响术后的三尖瓣残余返流的危险因素。结果：术后4~5年随访时两组患者三尖瓣返流面积均明显减少,心功能较术前均有显著提高,以随访时三尖瓣中度及重度返流定义为三尖瓣术后残余返流（PRTR）,两组患者共存在术后残余返流12例,其中改良Devega组7例,瓣环成形组5例,对随访出现残余返流的两组患者临床资料进行分析,发现风湿性病变、术后左心射血分数低、术后右心房大、术后三尖瓣环径大、术后肺动脉高压为三尖瓣成形术后出现残余返流的独立危险因素。结论：带四个垫片的改良Devega术及人工瓣环成形术都是治疗功能性三尖瓣返流的有效方法;风湿性病因、术后左心射血分数低、术后肺动脉高压、术后三尖瓣环及术后右房大是术后三尖瓣出现残余返流的危险因素。     

Transatrial Intrapericardial Tricuspid Annuloplasty

ObjectivesThis study sought to demonstrate transcatheter deployment of a circumferential device within the pericardial space to modify tricuspid annular dimensions interactively and to reduce functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in swine.BackgroundFunctional TR is common and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There are no reported transcatheter tricuspid valve repairs. We describe a transcatheter extracardiac tricuspid annuloplasty device positioned in the pericardial space and delivered by puncture through the right atrial appendage. We demonstrate acute and chronic feasibility in swine.MethodsTransatrial intrapericardial tricuspid annuloplasty (TRAIPTA) was performed in 16 Yorkshire swine, including 4 with functional TR. Invasive hemodynamics and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed at baseline, immediately after annuloplasty and at follow-up.ResultsPericardial access via a right atrial appendage puncture was uncomplicated. In 9 naïve animals, tricuspid septal-lateral and anteroposterior dimensions, the annular area and perimeter, were reduced by 49%, 31%, 59%, and 24% (p < 0.001), respectively. Tricuspid leaflet coaptation length was increased by 53% (p < 0.001). Tricuspid geometric changes were maintained after 9.7 days (range, 7 to 14 days). Small effusions (mean, 46 ml) were observed immediately post-procedure but resolved completely at follow-up. In 4 animals with functional TR, severity of regurgitation by intracardiac echocardiography was reduced.ConclusionsTransatrial intrapericardial tricuspid annuloplasty is a transcatheter extracardiac tricuspid valve repair performed by exiting the heart from within via a transatrial puncture. The geometry of the tricuspid annulus can interactively be modified to reduce severity of functional TR in an animal model.     

De Vega annuloplasty and Carpentier-Edwards ring annuloplasty for secondary tricuspid regurgitation

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Residual or recurrent tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been reported after several types of surgical repair. The development of late TR is an important complication of left heart surgery. The results of De Vega annuloplasty were compared with those obtained after Carpentier-Edwards ring (CE ring) annuloplasty in patients with secondary TR. METHODS: The records of 45 patients who underwent surgery for secondary TR between January 1995 and July 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-eight patients underwent De Vega annuloplasty, and 17 had a CE ring annuloplasty. The groups were similar with respect to associated cardiac lesions. No significant preoperative differences were observed in NYHA functional class, TR grade, and pulmonary artery pressure between the two groups. RESULTS: One CE patient died of left ventricular dysfunction after postoperative bleeding. The 28 De Vega patients and remaining 16 CE patients had an uneventful recovery, and were discharged. Tricuspid ring size after repair was similar between groups. Mean (+/- SD) follow up in the entire patient cohort was 39+/-23 months (range: 6 to 75 months). TR recurrence was rated as grade II or III in 13 patients (45%) after De Vega annuloplasty, but was grade II or III in only one patient (6%) patient after CE ring annuloplasty. There was a significant difference in TR recurrence between the groups (p = 0.027), but no significant difference in NYHA class. CONCLUSION: CE ring annuloplasty significantly decreased the recurrence of TR; thus, CE ring annuloplasty is superior to De Vega annuloplasty in patients with secondary TR.     

Surgical management of acquired tricuspid valve disease--the effects and comparison of tricuspid annuloplasty (De Vega) and tricuspid valve replacement

A total of 92 patients with tricuspid valvular disease (TR) had surgical repair of DeVega's annuloplasty in 80 patients (87%) and of valve replacement in 12 patients (13%) from January, 1978, to March, 1988. All of those patients were diagnosed by cardiac catheterization and angiogram, clinical findings and in recent cases, pulsed and color Doppler echocardiography were applied. Eighty-nine of 92 patients (97%) were in NYHA class III or IV before operation. There were 7 early death (8.5%) with DeVega procedure and one death (8.3%) in TVR and late deaths were noted in 3 patients (3.6%) (DeVega's procedure) and one (8.3%) in TVR. Two patients after DeVega procedure at 5 and 6 years were required re-operation of TVR because of recurrent mitral valvular disease. Seventy-seven of 80 survivors were in NYHA class I or II postoperatively. Twenty-seven randomized selected patients after DeVega's annuloplasty were investigated by pulsed and color Doppler echocardiography, 17 of them (63%) had no regurgitation and the remaining 10 patient had mild to moderate regurgitation. This study suggests that DeVega's annuloplasty has a simple and reliable procedure in patients with functional TR and results in excellent hemodynamic and functional effects postoperatively.     

Does lowering pulmonary arterial pressure eliminate severe functional tricuspid regurgitation? Insights from pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

OBJECTIVES: Because pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) can result in an immediate reduction in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, we sought to evaluate the effect of PTE on severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) without tricuspid annuloplasty. BACKGROUND: Few data exist regarding the frequency and magnitude of functional TR improvement after reduction in PA pressure. METHODS: We identified 27 patients with severe TR, defined by a regurgitant index (RI) >33%, who underwent PTE. The RI, tricuspid annular diameter (TAD), apical displacement of leaflet coaptation, and estimated PA systolic pressure were determined on pre- and post-PTE echocardiograms. Patients were stratified based on resolution (RI < or =33%) or persistence (RI >33%) of severe TR. RESULTS: Comparing pre- and post-PTE echocardiography results, severe TR resolved in 19 of 27 (70%) patients. This group had a more effective PA systolic pressure reduction after PTE (49 +/- 20 mm Hg vs. 32 +/- 16 mm Hg by echocardiography, p = 0.075, and 37 +/- 16 mm Hg vs. 16 +/- 13 mm Hg by catheter measurement, p = 0.004). No difference was observed in TAD, apical displacement of the tricuspid valve, or other features compared with the group with persistent severe TR. There was a trend toward longer hospital stays in the group with persistent severe TR (19 +/- 15 days vs. 14 +/- 9 days; p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: After significant PA pressure reduction by PTE, severe functional TR with a dilated annulus may improve without annuloplasty despite dilated tricuspid annulus diameters.