Tricuspid leaflet augmentation to eliminate residual regurgitation in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation

We describe a technique for treating severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) when residual regurgitation cannot be eliminated with ring annuloplasty alone. The anterior leaflet and the anterior half of the posterior leaflet are augmented with an elliptic pericardial patch before implantation of a rigid annuloplasty ring. We successfully performed this procedure in 9 patients with severe TR due to severe leaflet tethering or short coaptation length and achieved complete elimination of TR with sufficient coaptation length in tricuspid valve leaflets for all patients.     

人工瓣环成形术与其联合"缘对缘"瓣膜成形术治疗重度三尖瓣关闭不全

目的 总结人工瓣环成形术与人工瓣环联合"缘对缘"瓣膜成形术的治疗重度三尖瓣反流(TR)的治疗效果.方法 2001年4月至2010年5月间因重度TR行三尖瓣成形术41例,其中单纯人工瓣环成形(R组)21例,人工瓣环联合"缘对缘"瓣膜成形(E组)20例.所有病人均经术前、术后早期(出院时)及术后中长期经胸超声心动图检查,观察三尖瓣瓣叶对合情况,以三尖瓣反流束面积(TRA)/右房面积(RAA)定量测定反流程度,三尖瓣口面积、肺动脉压及心功能测定.结果 出院时R组7例无或微量TR,12例轻度TR,2例中度TR,轻、中度者均有前、隔叶对合不良;E组13例无或微量TR,7例轻度TR.随访6～100个月,平均(54.8±26.7)个月,R组5例无或微量TR,11例轻度TR,4例中度TR、1例重度TR,轻至重度者均有前、隔叶对合不良,1例重度者再次实施"缘对缘"瓣膜成形术;E组无三尖瓣狭窄,10例无或微量TR,9例轻度TR,1例中度TR.人工瓣环成形联合"缘对缘"瓣膜成形术中长期TRA/RAA比值显著低于单纯人工瓣环成形术者(P<0.01).结论 对于三尖瓣瓣缘对合不良及其瓣环扩张引起的重度TR者,人工瓣环成形联合"缘对缘"瓣膜成形技术能够更有效地减少术后三尖瓣残余反流以及TR的复发.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze whether association of edge to edge valve repair to artificial ring annuloplasty would result in better results in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).Methods From April,2001 to May,2010,41 patients underwent tricuspid valve repair to treat severe TR were studied.Twenty-one patients were done artificial ring annuloplasty alone (group R) and twenty patients were done artificial ring annuloplasty associated with edge to edge valve repair ( group E).All the patients received echocardiography before surgery,before discharge and in mid and long-term follow-up.The ratio between TR jet area (TRA) and right atrial area (RAA) was used to quantitatively evaluate the seriousness of TR.Movement of tricuspid valve leaflets,tricuspid valve orifice area,pulmonary artery pressure ( PAP),left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) were obserbed to evaluate heart function.Results At discharge in group R,no or trivial TR was presented in 7 patients,mild TR in 12 patients and moderate TR in 2 patient.Bad apposition of the free edges of anterior and septal leaflets was observed in paients with mild and moderate TR.While in group E,no or trivial TR was presented in 13 patients and mild TR in 7 patients.The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 100 months[average (54.8 ±26.7) months].In group R,no or trivial TR was present in 5 patients,mild TR in 11 patients,moderate TR in 4 patients and severe in 1 patient.Bad apposition of the free edges of anterior and septal leaflets was observed in paients with mild to severe TR.Redo tricuspid valve repair was done in one patient in group R for recurrent severe TR and the edge-to-edge valve repair was utilized.In group E,no tricuspid stenosis was found.No or trivial TR was presented in 10 patients,mild TR in 9 patients and moderate TR in 1 patient.The ratio of TRA/RAA of group R was significantly higher than that of group E (0.25 ±0.16 vs.0.13±0.10,P < 0.01).Conclusion Association of edge-to-edge valve technique to artificial ring annuloplasty was safe and effective for treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation due to bad apposition of free edges of tricuspid leaflets and dilatation of tricuspid annulus,.It could decrease the incidence of residual tricuspid regurgitation and prevent the recurrence of severe tricuspid regurgitation.     

Tricuspid annuloplasty--modified technique

A modification of the DeVega's tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) in the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is described. Using a double-ended 2-0 Ethibond suture buttered with a Teflon felt pledget, a double suture line is begun at the center of the annulus of the anterior tricuspid valve leaflet. The two suture lines 2 to 3 mm apart are run around the edge of the annular ring of the anterior and posterior tricuspid valve leaflets, going over the posteroseptal commissure by 1.5 cm. A tiny piece of Teflon felt is placed at the end of the sutures. The annulus is narrowed to sungly allow passage of a prove with a diameter of 28 or 30 mm. The tricuspid function is assessed by injecting saline into the right ventricle through the right atrium. Between March 1986 and July 1989, 28 patients with functional TR secondary to mitral valve diseases have been operated on by this technique. There are one early and one late deaths, none being related to tricuspid valve annuloplasty. All 26 survivors had a significant drop in right atrial pressure and an associated improvement in clinical status. Follow-up of the 27 patients who survived this TAP ranges from 2 to 38 months (mean 17 months). This annuloplasty is a safe, effective and readily teachable method for the surgical management of TR.     

Modified tricuspid ring annuloplasty to reduce residual regurgitation in functional tricuspid regurgitation

We describe a modified technique of tricuspid ring annuloplasty to reduce postoperative residual regurgitation in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation; first, an adjustable segmental tricuspid annuloplasty is performed to obtain coaptation of the valve leaflets with two 5-0 monofilament annular sutures, and then a prosthetic ring of the same size as the competent valve area is implanted with continuous 3-0 polypropylene sutures.     

A successful surgical repair of bilateral atrioventricular valve regurgitation in corrected transposition of the great arteries

The patient was a 52-year-old female with bilateral atrioventricular valve regurgitation, who had SLL-type corrected transposition of the great arteries (C-TGA) accompanied by atrial fibrillation and ventricular extrasystoles (Lown 4b). In performing C-TGA in a patient at such an age, the ability of the anatomical right ventricle to maintain the systemic circulation is reduced, and so it is most important to maintain ventricular function at operation. In this case, we preserved the tricuspid valve and transplanted a biological valve at the tricuspid annulus, while the mitral valve was repaired with Kay's method of annuloplasty. Her postoperative progress was favorable and the echocardiography confirmed that the preserved tricuspid valve did not disturb the motion of the leaflets of the biological prosthesis.     

A novel technique for correction of severe tricuspid valve regurgitation due to complex lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Correction of tricuspid regurgitation due to complex lesions (not treatable with annuloplasty only) is associated with suboptimal results. To improve the efficacy of valve repair in this context, we developed a new surgical approach, which consists of stitching together the central part of the free edges of the leaflets producing a 'clover' shaped valve. Our preliminary experience with this novel technique is reported. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2003, 14 patients (mean age 57+/-17 years), with severe tricuspid regurgitation due to complex lesions, underwent valve repair with this novel approach in combination with annuloplasty. The aetiology of the disease was post-traumatic in five cases, degenerative in eight and secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy in one. Anterior leaflet prolapse/flail was present in most patients associated with posterior and/or septal leaflet prolapse or tethering. Annular and right ventricular dilatation was present in all cases. Mitral valve repair/replacement was concomitantly performed in nine patients. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 7.1% (1/14). At follow-up extending to 22 months (mean 12+/-6.3), all survivors were asymptomatic. At the last echocardiogram tricuspid regurgitation was absent or mild in 13 patients and moderate in one. Mean tricuspid valve area and gradient were 4.2+/-0.4 cm(2) and 2.7+/-1.4 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short follow-up, this novel technique appears to be an easy, rapid and effective approach to correct severe tricuspid regurgitation due to complex lesions. Such a repair restored tricuspid valve competence, even in the presence of huge RV dilatation and pulmonary hypertension.     

Surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation

The purpose of this study is to compare early and late results of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR), tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) and non operative management for patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). 5 patients underwent TVR and 70 patients received TAP (Kay-Boyd's annuloplasty in 16, Bex reducer method in 40, Carpentier's ring method in 14). 21 patients were managed non-operatively. The following results were obtained. TR should be repaired aggressively, if the regurgitation was more than second degree and tricuspid annulus was above three finger breadth. Judging from the pattern of residual TR after Kay-Boyd's annuloplasty and Bex reducer method, Bex reducer and Carpentier's ring should be placed over the three commissures except the conduction tract.     

An annular prosthesis for the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation: finite element model analysis of a dog bone-shaped ring prosthesis

Background

Undersized annuloplasty is commonly used in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation. However, in the case of severely dilated ventricles, annuloplasty may be inadequate to counteract leaflet tethering. My colleagues and I hypothesized that modifying the shape of the annular prosthesis to account for the specific anatomy of functional mitral regurgitation could challenge extreme leaflet tethering.

Methods

Using finite element model simulations, we tested valve competence after the implantation of conventional D-shaped versus dog bone-shaped annuloplasty rings, the latter of which was designed to selectively reduce the septolateral dimension of the annulus. Three models were compared: model A, simulating the native mitral valve; model B, simulating the same valve after annuloplasty with a conventional D-shaped annuloplasty; and model C, simulating a dog-bone annuloplasty ring implantation. Each model was then challenged by progressively pulling the tip of the papillary muscles away from the annulus plane to simulate ventricular remodeling and leaflet tethering. Valve competence was compared in each model for each degree of leaflet tethering.

Results

After maximal leaflet tethering simulation (4-mm apical displacement of the papillary tips), the regurgitant area increase was 70.4 mm² for model A and 52.9 mm² for model B. In model C, the regurgitant area was only negligibly affected by papillary displacement, increasing to 3.9 mm².

Conclusions

An annular prosthesis with selective reduction in the septolateral dimension is more effective than a conventional prosthesis for treating leaflet tethering in functional mitral regurgitation. Use of disease-specific annular prostheses is needed to improve the results of valve reconstruction.     

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。     

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。     

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.     

Posterior mitral valve restoration for ischemic regurgitation

Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation is traditionally a complex lesion to repair. Only restrictive annuloplasty has become an accepted strategy to avoid valve replacement, but results are unsatisfactory in some subgroups of patients. We describe an original technique that addresses the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for one of the most common subtypes of ischemic mitral regurgitation, ie, asymmetric tethering of the mitral leaflets after inferior myocardial infarction. The technique includes partial detachment of the posterior leaflet from the mitral annulus, annular plication, and posterior cusp plasty.     

A case of infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve repaired by vegetectomy and annuloplasty]

A successful repair of infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve in a drug abuser is reported. A 25-year-old woman with a history of drug addiction was referred to our hospital complaining of high fever despite antibiotic therapy. Blood cultures showed staphylococcal septicemia, and echocardiography revealed large vegetations attached to the tricuspid annulus and massive regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. Blood studies showed renal failure and hematological abnormalities due to septicemia and right ventricular failure. Excision of the vegetation and the posterior leaflet was performed along with annuloplasty (Kay's procedure). The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and subsequent echocardiographic examination disclosed no evidence of recurrence, and insignificant tricuspid valvular regurgitation. Local excision of vegetation and leaflet repair by annuloplasty may be performed in cases with well-circumscribed vegetation and minor leaflet damage.     

Experimental study on the optimal size of the tricuspid valve annular area on annuloplasty

The optimal size of tricuspid valve annular area (TVAA) by annuloplasty for tricuspid regurgitation remains controversial. Recently, we developed a new measuring system which permits to do real-time measurement of tricuspid valve annular area in anesthetized dogs. Using this system, we studied the optimal size of TVAA by annuloplasty. After the right atrial incision, a metal thread which functions as a sense loop of the electromagnetic fields was stitched along the tricuspid valve annulus (visible juncture of the valve leaflets and the cardiac wall). The drive coil assembly was placed perpendicular to the extension of the long axis of the heart and was directed toward the tricuspid valve region. During control conditions, the maximum TVAA appeared at the onset of ventricular systole. The minimum TVAA appeared during the early ventricular diastolic phase which included the ventricular isovolumic relaxation phase. The maximum TVAA varied in five dogs between 2.2 cm2 and 3.1 cm2, the minimum TVAA also varied between 1.8 cm2 and 2.5 cm2: During regular sinus rhythm, a decrease of TVAA during one cardiac cycle ranged between 11.9% and 22.4% of the maximum size. When TVAA was not decreased by annuloplasty to the minimum area which was observed during cardiac cycle in the control state, the cardiac output and the right atrial pressure remained unchanged, because the ventricular filling was not obstructed. On the other hand, when TVAA was decreased smaller than this minimum area, the cardiac output decreased and the right atrial pressure rose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Modified semicircular constricting annuloplasty (Sagban's annuloplasty) in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation: alternative surgical technique and its mid-term results

OBJECTIVE: De Vega annuloplasty is one of the most effective methods used in surgical correction of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). Physiologic annular motions are protected by De Vega annuloplasty. However, recurrent tricuspid regurgitation secondary to Bowstring (Guitar string) phenomenon may be seen after De Vega annuloplasty as a result of gliding (jiggle) effect. The aim of this new annuloplasty was to prevent Bowstring phenomenon seen in De Vega annuloplasty. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with severe FTR secondary to the left-sided valvular heart disease were included in this study. Modified semicircular constricting annuloplasty (Sagban's annuloplasty): The procedure is performed utilizing 0 and 2-0 polypropylene sutures. At first, 0 and 2-0 polypropylene sutures are fixed and knotted at anteroseptal and posteroseptal comissural regions (named as anchoring points). 2-0 Polypropylene sutures which come from anchoring points in clockwise and counterclockwise direction are used to encircle the free wall annulus as well as 0 polypropylene sutures in spiral fashion (spiral annulary suture technique). When both sutures get to the anteroposterior comissural region (tying point), they are passed through plastic snares. After the annuloplasty is completed, with the heart beating and the pulmonary artery clamped, competency of the valve is tested by injecting saline into the right ventricular chamber before the adjusting suture is tied. In this annuloplasty, 0 polypropylene sutures are used for reduction and constriction, 2-0 polypropylene sutures are used for the fixation of 0 polypropylene sutures in annular level. RESULTS: FTR improved totally in 16 patients (66.7%), 4 patients (16.7%) had first degree, 3 patients (12.5%) had second degree, and only 1 patient (4.2%) had third degree residual tricuspid regurgitation in an average follow-up period of 17.8 months. One patient died from low cardiac output in early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: There is no risk of recurrent regurgitation secondary to Bowstring phenomenon in this alternative annuloplasty technique and this annuloplasty is cost-effective and performed easily.     

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.     

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 treatment for ischemic mitral regurgitation: strategy for a tethered valve.

Recently, ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) has been shown to be an individual risk factor for ischemic heart disease. The main mechanism of IMR is tethering of the leaflet secondary to left ventricular (LV) dilatation. In this situation, surgical treatment for IMR has been limited to ring annuloplasty with varying degrees of effectiveness. However, mid-term follow-up studies have shown that the results obtained with this approach are not satisfactory. Therefore, there has been a need to develop additional techniques to achieve more secure repair of IMR. The characteristics of the mitral leaflet configuration in IMR are apical displacement of the leaflets relative to the annulus, concavity of the leaflets, and a dilated annulus. Our basic strategy for a tethered mitral valve is rigid ring annuloplasty and inward correction of the outwardly displaced papillary muscle. For the latter correction, we employ the overlapping method or septal anterior ventricular exclusion (SAVE) procedure for LV volume reduction in cases of broad antero-septal infarction, or elevate the posterior papillary muscle by folding the LV wall at the root of the posterior papillary muscle via a small incision in the inferior wall in cases of infero-posterior infarction. An additional procedure is chordal cutting in combination with rigid ring annuloplasty and papillary muscle imbrication in combination with LV volume reduction. We have successfully combined these methods with the aid of detailed echocardiographic studies in individual patients. However, long-term follow-up will be necessary before this approach can be routinely adopted.     

An Effective Adjunct to Tricuspid Annuloplasty

A simple and effective adjunct to annuloplasty is presented for use in patients in whom dilatation of the annulus may not be sufficient to convert the tricuspid valve into a bicuspid valve. Several interrupted sutures are placed on the leaflets adjacent to the commissural zone between the anterior and posterior leaflets prior to exclusion of the posterior leaflet.     

Redefinition of tricuspid valve structures for successful ring annuloplasty

Background

Although numerous reports have described suturing techniques for tricuspid annuloplasty, most studies were not based on a detailed anatomy of the tricuspid annulus. Thus, the definition of the tricuspid commissures remains unclear. This study aimed to clearly define the commissures and leaflets of the tricuspid valve and subvalvular structures, and to define a standard method for tricuspid annuloplasty.