Tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease evaluation and management

The clinical detection and quantification of tricuspid valve disease, although important, is not entirely accurate. Diagnostic evaluation is based on echocardiography, and color flow Doppler is useful for quantifying tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiography provides information on heart chamber dimensions, right ventricular function, and the degree of pulmonary hypertension. In addition, tricuspid stenosis can be accurately assessed using mean and end-diastolic pressure gradient measurements. The treatment options for tricuspid stenosis include balloon valvuloplasty and surgical valve repair. Functional tricuspid regurgitation associated with left heart disease may require surgical attention during an operation to treat the left heart disease. Severe tricuspid regurgitation usually requires surgery to be performed in association with mitral valve surgery. Mild-to-moderate tricuspid regurgitation requires surgery when annular dilatation or severe pulmonary hypertension is present. The surgical options include tricuspid valve repair, with or without an annuloplasty ring. In patients with a primary anatomic deformity of the tricuspid valve, replacement of the valve with a bioprosthesis or mechanical valve may be considered. Intermediate and long-term results favor annuloplasty valve repair over valve replacement. Pulmonary valve disease is predominantly congenital, and generally takes the form of pulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary regurgitation often results from surgical or balloon valvuloplasty and is associated with deleterious long-term sequelae. The recent development of percutaneous valve replacement was a major advance.     

Functional tricuspid regurgitation following replacement of the mitral valve.

In this series, the effect of replacement of the mitral valve was examined in 86/900 (9.6%) patients who had developed moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation, secondary to rheumatic mitral valvar disease. These patients were subdivided according to the severity of pulmonary hypertension and impairment of right ventricular function. Forty-six patients presented with severe pulmonary hypertension and 40 patients had moderate pulmonary hypertension (mean main pulmonary arterial pressure: 78 +/- 14 mmHg vs 41 +/- 6 mmHg; P less than 0.05). The latter had more advanced disease, greater impairment of right ventricular function and dilatation of the right heart chambers. Functional tricuspid regurgitation regressed in 38/42 survivors with severe pulmonary hypertension and persisted or progressed significantly in 22/34 survivors with impaired right ventricular function despite successful replacement of the mitral valve. The latter underwent replacement of the tricuspid valve (n = 16) or tricuspid annuloplasty (n = 6), at a mean interval of 44 +/- 4.4 months after replacement of the mitral valve, which resulted in 8/22 (23.5%) early deaths. Functional tricuspid regurgitation is more likely to persist in patients with advanced right ventricular failure. Tricuspid valvar competence should be restored in these patients at initial replacement of the mitral valve.     

Failure of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in carcinoid pulmonary stenosis.

BACKGROUND--Carcinoid heart disease typically results in pulmonary stenosis and tricuspid incompetence. Percutaneous balloon dilatation is an effective treatment for congenital pulmonary stenosis and has been applied successfully to tricuspid stenosis caused by carcinoid heart disease. The value of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in carcinoid pulmonary stenosis was assessed. METHODS--Two patients with severe congestive heart failure secondary to carcinoid heart disease and with documented pulmonary stenosis had balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. In both cases tricuspid regurgitation was also present together with reduced cardiac output. RESULTS--The procedure was technically successful in both patients. One patient experienced symptomatic benefit for two months and the other experienced no improvement. Both patients subsequently required combined tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement from which good results and symptomatic improvement were obtained. CONCLUSION--Though balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is technically feasible it is unlikely to provide useful palliation in carcinoid heart disease. Valve surgery should be considered in patients in whom the malignancy is controlled but carcinoid heart disease is producing drug resistant congestive heart failure.     

Failure of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in carcinoid pulmonary stenosis.

BACKGROUND--Carcinoid heart disease typically results in pulmonary stenosis and tricuspid incompetence. Percutaneous balloon dilatation is an effective treatment for congenital pulmonary stenosis and has been applied successfully to tricuspid stenosis caused by carcinoid heart disease. The value of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve in carcinoid pulmonary stenosis was assessed. METHODS--Two patients with severe congestive heart failure secondary to carcinoid heart disease and with documented pulmonary stenosis had balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. In both cases tricuspid regurgitation was also present together with reduced cardiac output. RESULTS--The procedure was technically successful in both patients. One patient experienced symptomatic benefit for two months and the other experienced no improvement. Both patients subsequently required combined tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement from which good results and symptomatic improvement were obtained. CONCLUSION--Though balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve is technically feasible it is unlikely to provide useful palliation in carcinoid heart disease. Valve surgery should be considered in patients in whom the malignancy is controlled but carcinoid heart disease is producing drug resistant congestive heart failure.     

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。     

Tricuspid valve insufficiency in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease: angiographic diameter of the tricuspid ring and function of the right ventricle

Dilatation of the right ventricle and a consecutive enlargement of the tricuspid valve ring are thought to be the main causes of functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease. To study the effect of right ventricular dilatation as well as the dimension of the tricuspid valve ring, right ventricular volume indices, ejection fraction, regional shortening, pulmonary artery pressure, and the diameter and systolic shortening of the tricuspid valve were determined in 67 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (NYHA class II and III) from biplane ventriculographies. Patients with right ventricular enlargement (greater than 90 ml/m2) were divided into groups with (group IIA) and without (group IIB) tricuspid regurgitation and compared with patients with normal right ventricular size and function without tricuspid regurgitation (group I). There was no difference in the end-diastolic volume index, in the afterload or in the diameter of the tricuspid ring. Right ventricular ejection fraction was decreased in group IIA (51 +/- 9% vs. 59 +/- 10% (IIB) and 61 +/- 6% (control); (p less than 0.05). Regional function was also decreased in group IIA. 73% of the patients with tricuspid regurgitation had right ventricular enlargement, but only 44% of the patients with right ventricular enlargement had tricuspid regurgitation. Thus right ventricular dilatation promotes the development of a tricuspid insufficiency, but is not the only cause. Additional factors like decreased local wall motion, alterations of the valve or the valve apparatus may also account for functional tricuspid regurgitation.     

左心瓣膜置换术后远期三尖瓣关闭不全的外科治疗

目的:评价左心瓣膜置换术后三尖瓣重度关闭不全外科治疗效果。方法:对25例左心瓣膜置换术后,人工瓣膜功能正常,三尖瓣重度关闭不全患者行三尖瓣成形术或三尖瓣置换术;首次手术二尖瓣置换术17例,二尖瓣加主动脉瓣置换术8例,在首次手术中10例曾行三尖瓣DeVega法成形术。结果:三尖瓣成形术13例;三尖瓣置换术12例。术后早期死亡4例,病死率16%。随访7个月～8年,平均(5.1±2.6)年,2例三尖瓣置换患者死于心血管事件,长期生存15例,心功能Ⅱ级8例,Ⅲ级4例,Ⅳ级3例,多数仍需强心、利尿药维持,临床症状明显改善。结论:对左心瓣膜置换术后三尖瓣重度关闭不全患者外科手术是一种合适的选择。合理掌握手术指征、手术时机和良好的围手术期治疗是手术成功的关键。     

Transient neonatal tricuspid regurgitation: a Doppler echocardiographic study of three cases.

Three patients with normal hearts and no pulmonary abnormality had neonatal tricuspid regurgitation causing cardiorespiratory distress and cyanosis. The signs of tricuspid regurgitation resolved over a few weeks. In the acute phase echocardiography showed gross dilatation of the right atrium and ventricle. The interatrial septum bulged into the left atrium during the whole cardiac cycle. Doppler echocardiography showed clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation, a right to left shunt through the foramen ovale, reduced flow through the pulmonary valve, and in two patients ductal flow into the pulmonary artery. In one patient tricuspid regurgitation was so great that it impeded the opening of the pulmonary valve and produced functional "atresia" of the pulmonary valve. The presence of regurgitant blood flow through the pulmonary valve showed that the "atresia" was functional rather than organic. Doppler echocardiographic study is useful in distinguishing functional neonatal tricuspid regurgitation from structural abnormality of the tricuspid valve.     

Transient neonatal tricuspid regurgitation: a Doppler echocardiographic study of three cases

Three patients with normal hearts and no pulmonary abnormality had neonatal tricuspid regurgitation causing cardiorespiratory distress and cyanosis. The signs of tricuspid regurgitation resolved over a few weeks. In the acute phase echocardiography showed gross dilatation of the right atrium and ventricle. The interatrial septum bulged into the left atrium during the whole cardiac cycle. Doppler echocardiography showed clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation, a right to left shunt through the foramen ovale, reduced flow through the pulmonary valve, and in two patients ductal flow into the pulmonary artery. In one patient tricuspid regurgitation was so great that it impeded the opening of the pulmonary valve and produced functional "atresia" of the pulmonary valve. The presence of regurgitant blood flow through the pulmonary valve showed that the "atresia" was functional rather than organic. Doppler echocardiographic study is useful in distinguishing functional neonatal tricuspid regurgitation from structural abnormality of the tricuspid valve.     

Balance and gait in older adults with systemic hypertension

In a cohort of 56 school-aged children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, significant (moderate to severe) tricuspid regurgitation was common (32% of patients) and was related to both tricuspid annulus dilatation and structural valve abnormalities that were potentially related to previous surgery. Even after adjusting for pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation was significantly correlated with right ventricular volume (r= 0.39, p = 0.009), suggesting that tricuspid regurgitation as well as pulmonary regurgitation may contribute significantly to progressive right ventricular dilatation in this population.     

Tricuspid valve disease

The normal tricuspid valve anatomy and function have several dissimilarities to the corresponding mitral valve in the left heart, in part, based on lower pressures in the right heart chambers. The functional abnormalities resulting from tricuspid valve disease are classified as primary and secondary. Primary valve disease is any associated intrinsic valve pathology. The list of responsible conditions includes congenital, rheumatic, infective endocarditis, carcinoid heart disease, toxic effects of chemicals, tumors, blunt trauma, and myxomatous degeneration. The secondary tricuspid valve disease does not involve intrinsic anatomic abnormalities of the valve apparatus, aside from tricuspid annular dilation secondary to right ventricular dilation and dysfunction. The most common cause of tricuspid valve disease is secondary to left heart disease, either myocardial, valvular, or mixed. Although bedside diagnosis of advanced tricuspid valve disease is feasible, echocardiography provides valuable clues to the presence and severity of tricuspid valve stenosis and/or regurgitation with considerable accuracy. The tricuspid regurgitation signal using Doppler techniques is utilized for estimation of right ventricular systolic pressure, which, in the absence of right ventricular outflow obstruction, corresponds to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. This is clinically useful since nearly 80 to 90% of patients exhibit some degree of tricuspid regurgitation. The treatment of tricuspid valve disease is guided by underlying etiology and pathology. Tricuspid valve repair is increasingly advocated for patients with advanced tricuspid regurgitation, especially when combined with surgery on the left heart pathology. Primary tricuspid valve disease is often treated by surgical approach specific to the underlying pathology.     

Etiology of pure tricuspid regurgitation based on anular circumference and leaflet area: analysis of 45 necropsy patients with clinical and morphologic evidence of pure tricuspid regurgitation

Despite recent renewed interest in the detection of tricuspid valve regurgitation by echocardiographic and Doppler techniques, little morphologic information is available on dysfunctioning tricuspid valves. This report describes 45 necropsy patients with clinical and morphologic evidence of pure (no element of stenosis) tricuspid regurgitation and provides morphometric observations (anular circumference, leaflet area) of the tricuspid valve useful in determining the etiology of pure tricuspid regurgitation. Of 45 patients, 24 (53%) had pure tricuspid regurgitation resulting from an anatomically abnormal valve (prolapse in 7, papillary muscle dysfunction in 6, rheumatic disease in 5, Ebstein's anomaly in 3, infective endocarditis in 2, carcinoid tumor in 1), and 21 (47%) had an anatomically normal valve with systolic pulmonary artery hypertension (cor pulmonale in 12, mitral stenosis in 9). Anular circumference was dilated (greater than 12 cm) in patients with various causes of pulmonary hypertension, floppy valve and Ebstein's tricuspid anomaly. Leaflet area was increased in floppy valve and Ebstein's anomaly. Of the 45 patients, 24 had pulmonary systolic artery pressure measurements available for correlation with tricuspid valve morphology. Pulmonary artery pressures accurately predicted morphologically normal from abnormal valves in 16 patients (89%). Morphologic overlap occurred in six patients with pulmonary pressures of 41 to 54 mm Hg. Of these six, the additional knowledge of normal or dilated anular circumference correctly separated valves with normal and abnormal leaflets.     

Echocardiographic Assessment and Clinical Management of Tricuspid Regurgitation

The evaluation and management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are often challenging. Significant TR is an independent predictor of reduced event-free and overall survival. Therefore, an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of TR is of critical importance. TR can be classified into two basic categories: primary and secondary TR. The former refers to conditions in which the primary pathophysiologic process affects the valve itself, whereas the latter is much more common and occurs due to tricuspid annular dilatation, right heart failure, and/or pulmonary hypertension. Two- and three-dimensional echocardiography allow for a comprehensive assessment of TR severity and mechanisms. In patients with fixed pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction, medical management of TR is generally preferable. In patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, tricuspid annular dilatation should trigger prophylactic tricuspid valve repair, regardless of the degree of TR. Future efforts in TR management will include development of percutaneous repair procedures.     

Evolution of repaired and non-repaired tricuspid regurgitation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery without severe pulmonary hypertension

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of repairing significant tricuspid regurgitation (> or = grade 2) without severe pulmonary hypertension (< or = 50 mm Hg). Between 1993 and June 2001, 88 consecutive patients were operated on for rheumatic mitral valve disease associated with significant tricuspid regurgitation and without severe pulmonary hypertension. The severity of the tricuspid valve disease was assessed by echocardiography. Sixty-three patients had severe (> or = grade 3) tricuspid regurgitation (Group I), and 25 patients had moderate (grade 2) tricuspid regurgitation (Group II). There was no hospital mortality. six patients died during follow-up. The overall actuarial survival rate for 8 years was 92.1% +/- 3.1%. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( p = 0.006) and pulmonary complication ( p = 0.01) were associated with increased late mortality. Freedom from death was similar in both groups at 8 years (93.1% +/- 3.3% versus 88% +/- 8%, p = 0.7). Severe postoperative tricuspid regurgitation (> or = grade 3), caused by the failure of tricuspid repair or leaving the valve untouched, impaired long-term survival after surgery, and actuarial survival was 96.1% +/- 2.7% and 83% +/- 7.8% at 7 years ( p = 0.048), respectively. Severe tricuspid regurgitation, functional or organic, should be corrected at the time of mitral valve surgery, whereas untouched functional moderate tricuspid regurgitation improves after mitral valve surgery.     

Tricuspid valve replacement after cardiac transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tricuspid valve regurgitation is the most frequent valvular complication following orthotopic cardiac transplantation. It leads to diminished quality of life and predicts shortened long-term survival. The optimal surgical management of refractory tricuspid valve regurgitation in this setting is unclear. RECENT FINDINGS: Tricuspid valve regurgitation following cardiac transplantation is likely related to accumulated injury from repeated endomyocardial biopsies. Durability of repair in this setting was shown to be suboptimal. Replacement with a bioprosthesis was found to be durable and relieves symptoms of heart failure associated with tricuspid valve regurgitation in the majority of patients. Prophylactic tricuspid valve annuloplasty at transplantation was found to significantly decrease the incidence of early and late tricuspid valve regurgitation; long-term benefits remain unclear. SUMMARY: Results of tricuspid valve repair in the post-cardiac transplant setting are not ideal, and this strategy is better suited to treating functional tricuspid valve regurgitation resulting from annular dilatation. Tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthesis is a safe, durable, and effective method of treating tricuspid valve regurgitation following transplantation and allows for future endomyocardial biopsies to be performed. Mechanical valves should be avoided. A randomized controlled trial examining the long-term outcomes of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty is warranted.     

Idiopathic annular dilation: a rare cause of isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation

The management of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) requires the clinician to clarify the mechanism of regurgitation. Primary disorders of the tricuspid valve, either congenital or acquired, may be readily identified by echocardiography. Severe TR most often results from left-sided heart disease and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Cardiomyopathic processes may also cause right ventricular failure and functional TR. We report three patients with severe TR due to idiopathic annular dilation. The tricuspid valves were otherwise normal on surgical inspection, and the pulmonary pressures were not significantly elevated. Each patient was aged over 65 years and had chronic atrial fibrillation with preserved left ventricular systolic function. Surgical treatment was associated with marked clinical improvement. Clinicians should recognize this unusual but treatable cause of right-sided congestive heart failure.     

Venous systolic thrill and murmur in the neck: a consequence of severe tricuspid insufficiency

A palpable venous systolic thrill and murmur at the base of the neck are described as new physical findings in five patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. In two of these patients, the tricuspid valve had been resected as treatment for infective endocarditis related to intravenous drug abuse. The third patient had severe chronic pulmonary disease with right heart failure. The fourth patient had a complex congenital defect in which the mitral valve served as the venous atrioventricular valve and was severely incompetent. The fifth patient suffered from long-standing rheumatic mitral and tricuspid disease with pulmonary hypertension 10 years after placement of a mitral prosthesis. From these observations, it is apparent that pulsatile retrograde flow in the cervical veins resulting from severe right-sided atrioventricular valve incompetence can produce a palpable systolic thrill and murmur at the base of the neck.     

Mitral valve replacement in severe pulmonary hypertension. Long-term results

Between 1972 and 1987, 43 patients underwent isolated mitral valve replacement with mean pulmonary arterial pressures greater than 50 mmHg. The valve disease was stenosis in 13 cases, regurgitation in 15 cases and mixed mitral valve disease in 15 cases. Forty-one patients (95 %) had invalidating cardiac failure (Stages III and IV of the NYHA Classification). The hospital mortality was 2.3%. Thirteen patients died during follow-up, 8 of cardiac failure, 3 of sudden death and 2 died of non-cardiac causes. The 8 year actuarial survival was 82 +/- 7% with an average postoperative follow-up of 96 +/- 41 months. No patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty six per cent of survivors (25/29) are asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic. Doppler studies were performed in 22 patients, showing normal prosthetic function in 18 cases and an obstructive prosthesis in 4 cases. Seventeen patients had tricuspid regurgitation showing normal pulmonary artery systolic pressures in 9 cases and less than 55 mmHg in 5 cases. On average, systolic pulmonary artery pressure fell from 88 +/- 11 mmHg before to 33 +/- 9 mmHg after surgery (p = 0.01). These results show that severe pulmonary hypertension is not prohibitive for mitral valve replacement. The long-term results are good with functional improvement and reduction of pulmonary hypertension.     

Comparison of Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in patients requiring valve surgery: search for a 'gold standard'.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivities of Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of severe valvular heart disease in patients requiring valve surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of Doppler echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations. SETTING: Tertiary referral cardiovascular centre in a university setting. PATIENTS: Sixty-nine patients undergoing valve surgery between July 1988 and July 1990. RESULTS: The sensitivities of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were 84 and 87%, respectively (P = 1.0) in 32 patients who underwent aortic valve surgery primarily for severe aortic stenosis; 83 and 67%, respectively (P = 1.0) in six patients with severe aortic regurgitation, and 100 and 85%, respectively (P = 1.0) in seven patients with combined severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation. The sensitivities of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in 11 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery for severe mitral stenosis were 73 and 91%, respectively (P = 0.6) and 69 and 92%, respectively (P = 0.3) in 13 patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Sensitivities of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of severe tricuspid regurgitation in five patients who had tricuspid valve repair were 100 and 80%, respectively (P = 1.0). Two patients with severe aortic stenosis by echocardiography, but not by catheterization, did not undergo aortic valve replacement during valvular surgery; both required aortic valve replacement within two years of initial surgery because of heart failure. Four patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation identified by echocardiography did not have tricuspid repair; three had pulmonary hypertension and these patients had resolution of tricuspid regurgitation on follow-up. One patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation and absence of pulmonary hypertension required reoperation for tricuspid valve repair 10 months after initial operation. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the detection of severe valvular lesions requiring surgery is similar. Discordant results should be reviewed carefully with knowledge of the inherent pitfalls of both techniques in order to ensure optimal patient outcome.     

Long-term follow-up after Carpentier tricuspid valvuloplasty

To study the long-term results of tricuspid valvuloplasty, pre- and postoperative (51 +/- 17 months) echocardiographic and catheterization data were collected from 51 patients (aged 59 +/- 9 years). Because of severe mitral stenosis all patients received a heterograft in the mitral position and underwent reconstructive tricuspid surgery with Carpentier rings. With regard to postoperative clinical outcome three patient groups were distinguished: 37 patients (group A) showed clear clinical improvement; in seven patients mild, and in three patients moderate tricuspid regurgitation persisted. A mild tricuspid stenosis of less than 4 mm Hg mean diastolic gradient was found in 11 patients. Patients in group B (n = 8) showed no clinical improvement, but there was persistence of moderate tricuspid regurgitation associated with nearly unchanged pulmonary hypertension in five patients and moderate tricuspid stenosis in two. Six patients (group C) showed deterioration of their clinical status; in two patients a severe degree of tricuspid regurgitation persisted, and four patients were first seen with a tricuspid stenosis with a mean diastolic gradient greater than 7 mm Hg. Analysis of postoperative data showed that tricuspid stenosis may develop during surgery in patients with slightly shrunken valve leaflets. Although the area of the anterior tricuspid leaflet was slightly underestimated, we found that long-term results of tricuspid valve annuloplasty with a Carpentier ring were encouraging. Doppler echocardiography for detection of tricuspid regurgitation and transvalvular pressure gradient showed results identical to hemodynamic data and is a suitable and sensitive method for evaluating postoperative results after tricuspid valve annuloplasty.