A surgical technique of tricuspid valve repair for infective endocarditis using an autologous pericardium

We report a surgically treated case of tricuspid valve endocarditis. A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and active infective endocarditis associated with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Ultrasonic echocardiography (UCG) showed vegetations attached to the tricuspid valve. His blood culture was positive for Streptococcus oralis. Although intravenous antibiotics therapy was effective, chest computed tomography( CT) revealed multiple septic pulmonary enboli in right lung and UCG showed severe tricuspid valve regurgitation. So we performed tricuspid valve repair by reconstructing septal leaflet using an autologous pericardium, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene( ePTFE) artificial chordae and annuloplasty ring. The postoperative course was uneventful, without tricuspid regurgitation or stenosis. He has been free from any complication for over 8 months. This surgical technique of tricuspid valve repair with an autologous pericardium and ePTFE artificial chordae for infective endocarditis might be useful choice of procedure for patients with leaflet destruction, in particular for young patients because of less recurrence of infection, less chance of anticoagulant therapy and expected long uneventful course.     

Successful repair of traumatic tricuspid valve regurgitation

Isolated traumatic tricuspid valve regurgitation is an uncommon complication of blunt chest trauma. Tricuspid valve replacement has been ordinarily managed for this lesion. Herein, we report two cases of successful repair for traumatic tricuspid valve regurgitation, 11 and 40 years following blunt chest trauma, respectively. Tricuspid valve repairs were performed using an artificial chordae implantation with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (CV-5) sutures and ring annuloplasty. Postoperative echocardiography revealed that the tricuspid valve regurgitation improved to mild and trivial respectively in two patients. They are presently doing well, 4 and 2 years after the repair, respectively.     

Artificial chordae for pediatric mitral and tricuspid valve repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pediatric atrioventricular valve repair with artificial chordae. METHODS: Between February 2001 and January 2006, artificial chords were used in 21 children with severe mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation. Patients with AVSD were excluded. Median age was 84 (1-194) months. Five patients had isolated tricuspid valve anomalies, 16 had mitral valve anomalies (associated tricuspid annular dilatation in 4). Tricuspid neochordae were placed to anterior (three patients) and septal (two patients) leaflets. Mitral neochordae were placed to anterior (15 patients) and posterior (1 patient) leaflets. Additional ring annuloplasties were performed in 12 (mitral 11, tricuspid 1), as well as 2 de Vega tricuspid annuloplasties. Patch insertion was used in acute endocarditis (tricuspid one). All echocardiographic studies were reviewed and analyzed by a single cardiologist. RESULTS: No mortality occurred. Follow-up was complete (mean 28+/-18 months). Two patients were reoperated, one for mitral ring dehiscence and one for recurring mitral valve insufficiency. Both valves were replaced by mechanical valve prosthesis. At last follow-up tricuspid insufficiency was mild (three) or moderate (two). Moderate insufficiency occurred due to remaining restriction of the septal leaflet after repair in endocarditis (one) and remaining prolapse of the anterior leaflet (one). Mitral insufficiency was absent (five), mild (seven), or moderate (two). Moderate insufficiency was caused by recurrent anterior leaflet shortening after valve repair in rheumatic valve disease (two). Valve restriction caused by artificial chordae was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral and tricuspid valve repair with artificial chordae in children demonstrated acceptable results. Despite patient growth, valvular restriction by the artificial chordae was not observed ad mid-term follow-up.     

Bicuspidization of the tricuspid valve for the treatment of posterior leaflet endocarditis: a case report

Patients who require surgical therapy for the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation can avoid undergoing tricuspid valve replacement if valve-sparing repair techniques are employed. Tricuspid valvular endocarditis frequently requires valvectomy, leaving the right side of the heart and pulmonary system vulnerable to unregulated blood flow. We present a case of complete posterior leaflet excision and plication of the involved portion of the tricuspid annulus, which resulted in "bicuspidization" of the valve, for the treatment of tricuspid valve endocarditis localized to the posterior leaflet.     

Repair of flail leaflet of the tricuspid valve by a simple cusp remodeling technique

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The approach of repairing tricuspid valve insufficiency caused by congenital lack of chordae or traumatic rupture of chordae is often complicated and difficult. We try to present an alternative method and midterm results. METHODS: Between April 1997 and December 2004, eight patients (5 males, 3 females; mean age 23.9 +/- 5.8 years; range: 8 to 57 years) with severe tricuspid regurgitation (congenital lack of chordae in 5 cases and traumatic rupture of chordae in 3 cases) underwent surgical repair at Fu Wai Hospital. Four patients were in NYHA (New York Heart Association) class III, and 4 in class IV. Eight flail anterior leaflets and one flail septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve with massive tricuspid regurgitation were identified by echocardiography and the spaces of the free edges of the flail leaflets ranged from 20 to 30 mm. Tricuspid repair was performed under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The free edge of the affected cusp segment was sutured in folio, the segment of annulus devoid of leaflet was plicated, and the neo-annulus was fixed with a flexible annuloplasty ring. RESULTS: All patients survived and recovered after the operation. Echocardiography showed good coaptation with no regurgitation of the tricuspid valve in five patients and a mild residual tricuspid regurgitation in three patients. A remarkable decrease in the diameter of the right ventricle was observed, from a mean of 42.6 +/- 12.5 mm to a mean of 23.6 +/- 5.3mm (p < 0.01). Mean follow up was 50 +/- 42.9 months. Six patients were in NYHA class I, and two in class II and III. Except for one patient who had a mild-to-moderate increase in tricuspid regurgitation a year later, all the other patients were doing well. CONCLUSION: The procedure provided a simple and valuable option for repair of flail leaflet of tricuspid valve caused by congenital lack of chordae or traumatic rupture of chordae.     

A case of straddling tricuspid valve associated with VSD]

A case of straddling tricuspid valve associated with VSD was presented, who was diagnosed as VSD with pulmonary hypertension but not diagnosed as straddling in preoperative state. Two-dimensional echocardiography did not demonstrate a small right ventricle and overriding of tricuspid valve to the ventricular septum. Operative findings were as follows; the VSD was common A-V canal type and anomalous chordae of septal leaflet of tricuspid valve crossed through the VSD and attached to the contralateral side of the ventricular septum. We tried to preserve the anomalous chordae to prevent tricuspid regurgitation, so that we carried out patch closure of VSD. To avoid injury conduction system stitches were placed from upper margin of the VSD, and to keep away tricuspid regurgitation we plicated a depression of septal leaflet which caused by anomalous chordae in VSD patch closure. In postoperative state, A-V block did not arise and tricuspid regurgitation was shown a little as well as preoperative state.     

Surgical repair of isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation with artificial chordae--a case of two year-follow up]

Isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation derived from primary dysplasia of the valvular apparatus is a rare cardiac abnormality. A 23-year-old woman was first diagnosed to have an isolated tricuspid regurgitation during infancy and was followed up at our hospital. She developed progressive cardiomegaly at the age of 22 years. The chest roentgenogram at the time of admission revealed marked cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic ratio of 64%. Despite the severe regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, the catheter examination disclosed v and mean pressures of the right atrium of 9 mmHg and 5 mmHg, respectively. The operative findings revealed a markedly dilated tricuspid annulus of 45 mm in diameter (157% of normal) and fragile and redundant valve leaflets, anterior leaflet in particular. Anterior papillary muscle was absent without any vestige thereof. Chordae tendinae of the anterior and posterior leaflets were absent and those of the septal leaflet were attached to the ventricular septum. Each commissure was tethered to the ventricular wall by thick and short chordal tissue. The chordal abnormalities were repaired by four artificial chordae of 4-0 ePTFE suture and an annuloplasty with Carpentier-Edwards ring (36 mm) was added. She recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 30. A follow-up echocardiography at 2 years after surgery showed excellent function and trivial regurgitation of the valve. No evidences of thrombus or calcification of the artificial chordae were detected. This experience draws us to conclude that the artificial chordal replacement is one of the useful surgical options for the repair of isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation.     

Surgical repair of isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation with artificial chordae —A case of two year-follow up—

Isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation derived from primary dysplasia of the valvular apparatus is a rare cardiac abnormality. A 23-year-old woman was first diagnosed to have an isolated tricuspid regurgitation during infancy and was followed up at our hospital. She developed progressive cardiomegaly at the age of 22 years. The chest roentgenogram at the time of admission revealed marked cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic ratio of 64%. Despite the severe regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, the catheter examination disclosed ν and mean pressures of the right atrium of 9 mmHg and 5 mmHg, respectively. The operative findings revealed a markedly dilated tricuspid annulus of 45 mm in diameter (157% of normal) and fragile and redundant valve leaflets, anterior leaflet in particular. Anterior papillary muscle was absent without any vestige thereof. Chordae tendinae of the anterior and posterior leaflets were absent and those of the septal leaflet were attached to the ventricular septum. Each commissure was tethered to the ventricular wall by thick and short chordal tissue. The chordal abnormalities were repaired by four artificial chordae of 4-0 ePTFE suture and an annuloplasty with Carpentier-Edwards ring (36 mm) was added. She recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 30. A follow-up echocardiography at 2 years after surgery showed excellent function and trivial regurgitation of the valve. No evidences of thrombus or calcification of the artificial chordae were detected. This experience draws us to conclude that the artificial chordal replacement is one of the useful surgical options for the repair of isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation.     

三尖瓣脱垂的外科治疗

目的探索应用三尖瓣脱垂瓣缘折叠缝合技术治疗三尖瓣关闭不全的外科方法和疗效。方法1997年4月至2006年3月为6例先天性三尖瓣前叶腱索缺如和3例外伤性腱索断裂的患者实施了外科矫治手术,其中男性6例,女性3例,年龄8～57岁。术前9例患者均有三尖瓣重度关闭不全,右心室前后径均值为(43.6±4.2)mm。5例患者心功能为Ⅲ级,4例为Ⅳ级。连续对折缝合脱垂的三尖瓣瓣缘,折叠缝合脱垂瓣叶相对应的瓣环,并用成形环固定成形后三尖瓣瓣环。结果9例患者术后恢复顺利,无死亡。术后超声心动图检查示:6例患者三尖瓣对合良好无反流,3例患者有少量反流。所有患者术后右心室前后径均显著减小,术后均值为(24.0±1.8)mm,与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。3例房颤心律的患者均转为窦性心律。患者随访1～109个月,除1例患者外,其他8例患者三尖瓣成形效果稳定。8例患者心功能为Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,1例为Ⅲ级。结论应用三尖瓣脱垂瓣叶及其相对应的瓣环折叠技术,可有效修复先天性三尖瓣部分腱索缺如和胸外伤后三尖瓣腱索断裂所致的三尖瓣重度关闭不全。     

Tricuspid valve replacement after cardiac transplantation.

Tricuspid regurgitation, a fairly common finding after cardiac transplantation, is generally mild or moderate, and is not clinically significant. The etiology of tricuspid regurgitation is not entirely understood, and experience with valve replacement after cardiac transplantation is limited. We describe a case of progressively severe tricuspid regurgitation ultimately requiring tricuspid valve replacement. At operation, the ruptured chordae of the posterior part of anterior and septal leaflet with resulting partially flail leaflets were found. Examination of the papillary muscle showed origins of several of the ruptured chordae. Damage to the tricuspid subvalvular apparatus at endomyocardial biopsy appeared to be a possible cause. A 31-mm Carpentier-Edwards porcine valve was implanted. This was because replacement with a mechanical prosthesis would prevent future right-side heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy and in valve repair, the patient remains exposed to the risk of the recurrence of chordal rupture. We discuss proposed causes and choices in surgical technique.     

Mitral valve repair of valve insuffficiency with broad and complex lesions due to infective endocarditis; report of a case

Surgical intervention is necessary for the treatment of infective endocarditis, although antibiotic therapy has been shown to be effective for treatment of this disorder. Mitral valve infective endocarditis frequently presents with broad and complex lesions, and thus a variety of valve repair is needed. A 40-year-old woman with mitral valve insufficiency due to infective endocarditis underwent mitral valve repair. During the operation, torn chordae, aneurysm with perforation of the anterior leaflet, and torn chordae of the posterior leaflet were found. The chordae of the anterior leaflet were reconstructed and the aneurysm was excised, and autopericardial patch repair was performed. Then, resection and suturing of the prolapsing lesion of posterior leaflet were performed. Mitral valve repair preserves the left ventricular apparatus and function. Therefore, mitral repair results in better prognosis than valve replacement. The repair of the mitral valve should be attempted for the treatment of valve insufficiency due to infective endocarditis.     

应用彩色多普勒对二尖瓣置换术后三尖瓣功能的远期随访

目的应用彩色多普勒超声评价二尖瓣置换术后远期三尖瓣功能及形态变化。方法对接受二尖瓣置换术的903例病人术后三尖瓣功能进行了2～9年,平均(3.6±2.4)年的跟踪观察。所有病例术前均有不同程度的三尖瓣环扩大或关闭不全,其中未行三尖瓣成形术者201例;行Kay或改良DeVega成形术者686例;三尖瓣成形术同时加成形环者16例。结果未行三尖瓣成形术者术后2～3年有46例出现三尖瓣重度关闭不全;行Kay或改良DeVega成形术者,术后3～5年150例出现中重度三尖瓣关闭不全;三尖瓣成形术同时加成形环者仅1例术后2年出现三尖瓣轻-中度关闭不全。结论二尖瓣置换术后远期三尖瓣功能性关闭不全与三尖瓣环扩大、右心功能损害和严重肺动脉高压有关,三尖瓣环扩大是其重要的原因。对二尖瓣置换术者,手术中一旦发现有三尖瓣环扩大,即使无三尖瓣关闭不全,亦应行三尖瓣成形术,重度三尖瓣关闭不全、瓣环明显扩大者最好在环缩术的同时加成形环。     

Transesophageal echocardiography-guided chordal replacement for tricuspid regurgitation

A 29-year-old man was referred to our institution for severe tricuspid regurgitation. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed dilation of the tricuspid annulus with prolapse of the anterior leaflet and progressive increase in right ventricular diameter. The anterior papillary muscle was elongated. Annuloplasty was completed by polytetrafluoroethylene artificial chordae implanted on the free margin of the anterior leaflet, and thereafter, tied outside the right ventricle, under echocardiography control to achieve appropriate length. The patient recovered well, and 6 months after surgery, repeat echocardiography revealed only mild tricuspid regurgitation with recovery of normal right ventricular dimensions.     

A successfully operated case of isolated tricuspid insufficiency due to traumatic laceration of anterior leaflet of tricuspid valve

A case of isolated traumatic tricuspid insufficiency is presented. The patient was a 26-year-old designer with chief complaints of palpitation and dyspnea on exertion, who had the traffic accident three years and four months ago. The cardiac catheterization and two-dimensional echocardiography showed isolated insufficiency, and revealed that the basic damage was laceration of anterior leaflet of tricuspid valve itself. Tricuspid valve was replaced with SJM M-31 valve. His postoperative course was satisfactory. Until present to our knowledge, 13 cases of traumatic tricuspid insufficiency have been reported in Japan including our case. In three instances the papillary muscles ruptured. In nine patients the chordae tendineae were torn and in this case, there was primary laceration of anterior leaflet.     

Non-penetrating traumatic tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve replacement

A case of traumatic rupture of the tricuspid chordae tendineae with severe regurgitation in a patient who previously had mitral valve replacement is presented. In this case, it is strongly suggested that a firm pericardial adhesion of the anterior right ventricular wall became a factor of the disruption of the tricuspid valve under a slight precordial blow.     

Partial replacement of the tricuspid valve by mitral homografts in acute endocarditis

Background. Seven patients with acute tricuspid endocarditis underwent partial replacement of the tricuspid valve using mitral homograft tissue. Valve function was evaluated at midterm.

Methods. Operative indications were uncontrolled sepsis in all cases associated with heart failure symptoms in 3 patients and septic pulmonary emboli in 2 patients. These patients were referred to our institution after a course of antibiotic treatment ranging from 7 to 12 weeks. Lesions found at the level of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve were vegetations and rupture of more than half of the marginal cords in all patients. Vegetations were also found on the posterior leaflet in 5 patients. In all instances the septal leaflet was free of lesions. The aortic valve was involved in 4 patients and the pulmonary valve in 1 patient. All patients underwent resection of the anterior and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve with their corresponding papillary muscles leaving the septal leaflet in place. Replacement of the tricuspid valve was performed through a right longitudinal atrial access, using the anterior leaflet of a mitral homograft alone in 3 patients and the anterior leaflet with part of posterior leaflet in 4 patients. Associated procedures included aortic valve replacement by a homograft (n = 4) and pulmonary valve reconstruction (n = 1).

Results. No hospital deaths are reported. One late death, at 16 months, is reported after reoperation due to recurrent aortic valve endocarditis. At midterm (mean follow-up, 30 months) patients had excellent functional status and normal valvular function during echocardiographic studies.

Conclusions. We conclude that when the degree of tricuspid valve destruction prevents repair, partial homograft replacement can be used as an extension of the already existing reconstructive techniques, with excellent functional results.     

A case of two-chambered right ventricle complicating infective endocarditis and tricuspid regurgitation

A 31-year-old male of two-chambered right ventricle with ventricular septal defect, complicating infective endocarditis and tricuspid regurgitation, was presented. Two-dimensional echocardiographic study demonstrated tricuspid vegetations and a hypertrophied, anomalous muscle bundle in the right ventricle. Cardiac catheterization revealed 58 mmHg pressure gradient between inflow chamber and outflow chamber of the right ventricle. It seems that tricuspid regurgitation was resulted from infective endocarditis. He underwent resection of anomalous muscle bundle, repair of ventricular septal defect, and tricuspid valve replacement with satisfactory result. It has not been reported in Japan so far that tricuspid valve replacement was performed for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation due to infective endocarditis in the patient with two-chambered right ventricle. In our case, cardiac catheterization was performed after subsidence of infective endocarditis. As echocardiography can detect vegetations and anomalous muscle bundle precisely, surgical intervention would be performed without cardiac catheterization in the case of infective endocarditis intractable to medical therapy.     

Repair of tricuspid valve with pulmonary valve replacement in repaired tetralogy of fallot

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the outcome of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) performed concomitantly with pulmonary valve replacement in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients. Design: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent pulmonary vale replacement from 2000 to 2016 after TOF correction. TVR patient data were compared to those of patients who underwent pulmonary vale replacement alone. Results: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. The degree of tricuspid regurgitation was significantly decreased after operation in the TVR group. Tricuspid valve annulus and annuloectasia before operation did not vary between groups (21.1?±?6.3 and 41.4% in no TVR vs. 21.3?±?4.8 and 52.6% in TVR). However pre-operative right ventricular volumes were larger in the TVR group. Normal tricuspid valve coaptation (body to body) was observed less frequently in the TVR group than in the other group (52.6% vs. 93.1%, p < .001). Pre-operative tricuspid regurgitation had a linear correlation with right ventricular volume, but not with tricuspid annulus size. Conclusion: Tricuspid annulus diameter decreased significantly regardless of TVR. Abnormal coaptations were observed more in patients group and the degree of pre-operative tricuspid regurgitation was linearly correlated with right ventricular volume rather than tricuspid annulus size.     

三尖瓣置换治疗Ebstein心脏畸形

目的 确定Ｅｂｓｔｅｉｎ畸形病人瓣膜转换术的手术适应证。方法 ３１例５～４６岁病人,其中１０例曾接受过修复术,全部手术均在全麻体体外循环下完成,４例心脏不停跳。分别转换生物瓣２枚,国产人工机械瓣膜１３枚和进口人工机械瓣６枚;同时对其他合并畸形进行修复。结果 体外循环转流时间５６～１３６ｍｉｎ,２７例主动脉阻断时间２９～８３ｍｉｎ。１２例病人手术结束时直视下测压,右心房压１５．８／７．５ｍｉｎＨｇ（     

Surgical management of congenital (non-Ebstein) tricuspid valve regurgitation

Congenital tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a relatively uncommon condition that includes a heterogeneous group of lesions with a unique management strategy. There are wide anatomic variations that lead to congenital TR in patients without Ebstein malformation. Possible etiologies may include primary valve abnormalities (eg, congenital absence of chordae) or other forms of tricuspid valve dysplasia as in congenitally unguarded tricuspid valve, and patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum, which can be similar to Ebstein's valves or secondary regurgitation in association with other anomalies as in atrioventricular septal defects, right ventricular outflow tract obstructive lesions (pulmonary stenosis or atresia with ventricular septal defect [VSD]), tricuspid valve annular dilatation in association with right ventricular volume overload lesions as in congenital coronary arterial fistula with secondary right ventricular enlargement, and Uhl's anomaly. Iatrogenic etiologies in the congenital population include TR secondary to previous VSD closure (chordal or leaflet injury), pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator lead-induced TR, and traumatic TR (ruptured chordae). Presentation depends on the severity of the disease and may be apparent in infancy, childhood, or adulthood.