Long-term results of tricuspid valve replacement and the problem of prosthetic valve thrombosis

Observations in 71 patients having tricuspid valve replacement over a 14-year period are described. The operative mortality rate was 10% and the actuarial survival rate was 73% at 5 years and 47% at 10 years. Survival was unaffected by the number of valves replaced or the type used (27 Starr-Edwards, 32 Björk-Shiley, 8 Lillehei-Kaster, and 4 porcine xenografts). Complications were common: 3 deaths were related to anticoagulation and 1 was due to a systemic embolus. Six patients required permanent pacing. There was a very high incidence of thrombosis of the prosthetic tricuspid valve. Twenty percent of the tilting disc valves thrombosed, compared with 4% of the Starr-Edwards valves (p < 0.05). Symptoms of thrombosis were usually insidious, and its diagnosis was often delayed. There was a continuing risk of this complication, and presentation occurred up to 12 years after the original operation. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase was successful in 1 of 2 patients. Replacement of the thrombosed prosthetic valves was carried out without mortality in 8 patients.