Tricuspidal Annuloplasty. Results and Complications

Summary 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/m 2 . All but 8 were in atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vascular resistance over 250 dyn × sec × 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.