Tricuspid Annuloplasty for Tricuspid Regurgitation Secondary to Left-Sided Heart Valve Disease: Immediate Outcomes and Risk Factors for Late Failure

A comparative study on the results of beating and arrested heart isolated tricuspid valve surgery: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

The isolated tricuspid valve surgery is performed using beating or arrested heart surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the results of patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery using the beating and arrested heart techniques.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, all patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery between 2011 and 2018 were included. The patient's demographic information, echocardiographic, surgery, and hospitalization results were collected, and the EuroSCORE was calculated from the patient's medical records.

Results

Fifty-three patients were included in the study of which 21 (39.63%) and 32 (60.37%) underwent a beating heart and arrested heart surgeries, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two studied groups in the echocardiographic results before and after the surgery, total hospitalization days (p = 0.56), and the mortality in the first 30 days after the surgery (p = 0.152). However, the duration of surgery (p < 0.001), EuroSCORE (p = 0.005), and patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy (p = 0.007) were notably lower in the arrested heart than in the beating heart group. In contrast, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and hospitalization in an intensive care unit after the surgery was remarkably lower in the beating heart than in the arrested heart group (p < 0.001 for both cases).

Conclusion

Although there were some significant differences between the two kinds of surgery techniques, it seems superficial that made a particular decision to consider each method's superiority. Therefore, further studies with larger populations and meta-analyses are required to recommend the preferred method for the surgeons certainly.

Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of Massive Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients Undergoing Tricuspid Annuloplasty With Concomitant Left-Sided Valve Surgery: A Study on Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

The presence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is very common in patients with concomitant left-sided valve disease. Recent studies have advocated an additional grading of massive TR that is beyond severe. The present study sought to characterize the spectrum of TR in patients undergoing tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) and to evaluate the prognostic value of TR severity for post-operative outcome following TA.

METHODS

A total of 176 patients who underwent TA with combined left-sided valve surgery, secondary to rheumatic valvular heart disease, were prospectively evaluated. The severity of TR was quantified by effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) using the proximal isovelocity surface area method. Patients were categorized as having non-massive TR (EROA < 0.6 cm2) or massive TR (EROA ≥ 0.6 cm2). Adverse outcome was defined as all-cause mortality or heart failure requiring hospital admission following TA.

RESULTS

A total of 55 (31%) patients were considered to have massive TR. Patients with massive TR had a greater right ventricular dimension but a smaller left ventricular dimension compared with those with non-massive TR. After a median follow-up of 39 months, 35 adverse events occurred. Cox-regression analysis showed that both continuous EROA and dichotomized EROA (massive vs. non-massive TR) were independently associated with adverse events even after multivariable adjustment. Further, Harrell C index demonstrated that the addition of massive TR provided better discrimination ability of a prediction model to known prognosticators following TA.

CONCLUSIONS

Massive TR is common and up to 31% of study population had massive TR. Massive TR was associated with adverse outcome in patients undergoing TA. Classification of the severity of TR by quantitative measures and identification of massive TR in patients with concomitant left-sided valve disease are essential when considering the optimal timing of corrective surgery.

The best approach for functional tricuspid regurgitation: A network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

For many years, functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) was considered negligible after treatment of left-sided heart valve surgery. The aim of the present network meta-analysis is to summarize the results of four approaches to establish the possible gold standard.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed to identify all publications reporting the outcomes of four approaches for FTR, not tricuspid annuloplasty (no TA), suture annuloplasty (SA), flexible (FRA), rigid rings (RRA). All studies reporting at least one the four endpoints (early and late mortality, early and late moderate or more TFR) were included in a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

RESULTS

There were 31 included studies with 9663 patients. Aggregate early mortality was 5.3% no TA, 7.2% SA, 6.6% FRA, and 6.4% RRA; early TR moderate-or-more was 9.6%, 4.8%, 4.6%, and 3.8%; late mortality was 22.5%, 18.2%, 11.9%, and 11.9%; late TR moderate-or-more was 27.9%, 18.3%, 14.3%, and 6.4%. Rigid or semirigid ring annuloplasty was the most effective approach for decreasing the risk of late moderate or more FTR (-85% vs. no TA; -64% vs. SA; -32% vs. FRA). Concerning late mortality, no significant differences were found among different surgical approaches; however, flexible or rigid rings reduced significantly the risk of late mortality (78% and 47%, respectively) compared with not performing TA mortality. No differences were found for early outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Ring annuloplasty seems to offer better late outcomes compare to either suture annuloplasty or not performing TA. In particular rigid or semirigid rings provide more stable FTR across time.

Risk factors for postoperative recurrent tricuspid regurgitation after concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty during left heart surgery and the association between tricuspid annular circumference and secondary tricuspid regurgitation

Background

To identify the association between tricuspid annular circumference and secondary tricuspid regurgitation and analyze the risk factors of recurrent tricuspid regurgitation after concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty during left heart surgery.

Methods

From October 2018 to June 2019, a total of 117 patients receiving concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty within left heart surgery were enrolled. Severity of tricuspid regurgitation was classified as 4 subtypes: normal, mild, moderate and severe. Perioperative data and mid-term outcome were collected. Tricuspid annular circumference (TAC) was measured under cardiac arrest during surgery procedure by cardioplegia. Optimal TAC and TAC index (TAC/body surface area, BSA) cutoffs of significant tricuspid annulus dilatation (moderate and severe) were obtained. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of postoperative recurrent tricuspid regurgitation. The follow up period is 13–19 months (mean 15.5 ± 3.2 months).

Results

There was 1 patient was excluded who died after surgery. A total of 116 patients receiving tricuspid annuloplasty were included. Optimal cutoffs of significant tricuspid annulus dilatation were recommended (TAC 11.45 cm, Sensitivity 82.89%, Specificity 73.68%, AUC 0.915; TAC index 7.09 cm/m², Sensitivity 73.68%, Specificity 85%, AUC 0.825, respectively). Based on findings of multivariable logistic regression, it has been showed that TAC index and postoperative atrial fibrillation were the independent risk factors of recurrent regurgitation after surgery. Optimal TAC index cutoff to predict recurrent tricuspid regurgitation was 7.86 cm/m²

Conclusions

The severity of secondary tricuspid regurgitation is associated with the tricuspid annular circumference. The cut-offs of significant tricuspid regurgitation (more than moderate) were TAC 11.45 cm and TAC index 7.09 cm/m², respectively. Clinically, concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty is relative safe and effective. TAC index ≥ 7.86 cm/m² and postoperative atrial fibrillation are the risk factors of recurrent significant tricuspid regurgitation after concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty during left heart surgery.

Late tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling after tricuspid annuloplasty

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of preoperative right ventricular (RV) and tricuspid valve (TV) remodeling on the fate of tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) and right ventricle.

METHODS

From May 2009 to December 2015, 423 patients who had undergone TA for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were included in the study. Residual and recurrent TR were defined as moderate or more TR at discharge and follow-up, respectively. RV remodeling was defined as RV dysfunction and/or dilation.

RESULTS

Residual TR after TA was recorded in 54 patients (13%). Five-year freedom from TR recurrence was 81% ± 3% in patients without residual TR and 41 ± 8 in patients with residual TR (P < .001). In patients without residual TR, the following risk factors for recurrent TR and late RV remodeling were identified: preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure, preoperative RV remodeling, severe preoperative TR or less than severe TR but with TV apparatus remodeling, and etiology of mitral regurgitation. Cox analysis with time-dependent variables confirmed TR recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.1) and late RV remodeling (HR: 6.5) as risk factors for lower survival. No protective effect of either flexible band or rigid ring TA compared with DeVega procedure was found. Similarly, preoperative atrial fibrillation and pacemaker dependency, late failure of mitral valve surgery did not affect the fate of TR.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic TA should be encouraged among surgeons. TA at the time of left-sided valve surgery should take into consideration not only annular size, but also tethering severity and RV remodeling.

Long-term outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation: A propensity score-matching analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS

From 2003 to 2017, De Vega annuloplasty (group D) was used in 231 patients, and rigid ring annuloplasty (group R) was used in 204 patients for the treatment of functional TR during left-sided valve surgery. A propensity score-matching analysis was used to pair group D (n = 109) with group R (n = 109). The primary outcomes were long-term overall survival and cardiac death, and the secondary outcomes were tricuspid valve-related events and TR recurrence (TR moderate or severe). The follow-up data were complete in 99.6% (447 out of 449) of the patients with a follow-up duration of 102 months.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the overall survival and cardiac death between the propensity score-matched groups (P = .793 and P = .175, respectively) up to 14 years after surgery. Tricuspid valve-related events, including cardiac death, permanent pacemaker implantation, thromboembolism, bleeding and tricuspid valve reoperation were also similar between the 2 matched groups during the follow-up (P > .999). However, cumulative incidence of TR recurrence was significantly higher in group R than in group D (P = .007). Multivariate analysis indicated the annuloplasty method (De Vega) and preoperative TR grade as risk factors for late TR recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In functional TR, annuloplasty methods did not influence long-term overall survival, cardiac mortality, and tricuspid valve-related events. However, rigid ring annuloplasty showed less late TR recurrence. Rigid ring annuloplasty can be considered for the treatment of functional TR in terms of its better durability.

Uncertainties and challenges in surgical and transcatheter tricuspid valve therapy: a state-of-the-art expert review

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent and complex problem, commonly combined with left-sided heart disease, such as mitral regurgitation. Significant TR is associated with increased mortality if left untreated or recurrent after therapy. Tricuspid regurgitation was historically often disregarded and remained undertreated. Surgery is currently the only Class I Guideline recommended therapy for TR, in the form of annuloplasty, leaflet repair, or valve replacement. As growing experience of transcatheter therapy in structural heart disease, many dedicated transcatheter tricuspid repair or replacement devices, which mimic well-established surgical techniques, are currently under development. Nevertheless, many aspects of TR are little understood, including the disease process, surgical or interventional risk stratification, and predictors of successful therapy. The optimal treatment timing and the choice of proper surgical or interventional technique for significant TR remain to be elucidated. In this context, we aim to highlight the current evidence, underline major controversial issues in this field and present a future roadmap for TR therapy.

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Long-term results of annuloplasty in trivial-to-mild functional tricuspid regurgitation during mitral valve replacement: should we perform annuloplasty on the tricuspid valve or leave it alone?

OBJECTIVES

The benefits of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) for non-significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during mitral valve replacement (MVR) are controversial. We evaluated the long-term outcomes-particularly the long-term tricuspid valve (TV) functional outcomes-of MVR with or without tricuspid ring annuloplasty.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2014, 256 patients (56.4 ± 12.1 years) with trivial or mild functional TR who underwent MVR were enrolled. Eighty-two patients underwent concomitant tricuspid ring annuloplasty (TAP group), and 174 patients did not undergo the TV procedure (nTAP group). Propensity score-matched analysis was performed (n = 72 in each group). The follow-up duration was 77.4 ± 42.4 months.

RESULTS

The early clinical outcomes were similar between the 2 groups before and after propensity score matching with an early mortality rate of 3.5% (9 of 256). No patients experienced ring-related complications during follow-up. Eleven (6.3%) patients developed significant TR (≥moderate) in the nTAP group, while no patients developed significant TR in the TAP group. There were no significant differences in overall survival between the 2 groups before or after matching. However, propensity score-matched analysis revealed that the freedom from significant TR aggravation and freedom from TV-related event rates were significantly higher in the TAP group than in the nTAP group (P = 0.047 and P = 0.043, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with untreated trivial or mild functional TR accompanied by mitral valve disease can develop significant TR during follow-up. TV ring annuloplasty can be performed without complications and can be beneficial for patients with trivial or mild functional TR who are undergoing MVR.

Chronic aortic dissection with tricuspid regurgitation: report of a case

Dilatation of aortic root may distort the tricuspid annulus. We experienced a case of chronic aortic dissection presented with tricuspid regurgitation. Chest computed tomography revealed an enlarged ascending aorta displacing the right heart. The patient successfully underwent replacement of the aorta and tricuspid annuloplasty with a prosthetic annulus.

Pathophysiology and management of multivalvular disease

Multivalvular disease (MVD) is common among patients with valvular disease, and has a complex pathophysiology dependent on the specific combination of valve lesions. Diagnosis is challenging because several echocardiographic methods commonly used for the assessment of stenosis or regurgitation have been validated only in patients with single-valve disease. Decisions about the timing and type of treatment should be made by a multidisciplinary heart valve team, on a case-by-case basis. Several factors should be considered, including the severity and consequences of the MVD, the patient's life expectancy and comorbidities, the surgical risk associated with combined valve procedures, the long-term risk of morbidity and mortality associated with multiple valve prostheses, and the likelihood and risk of reoperation. The introduction of transcatheter valve therapies into clinical practice has provided new treatment options for patients with MVD, and decision-making algorithms on how to combine surgical and percutaneous treatment options are evolving rapidly. In this Review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of MVD, focusing on the combinations of valve pathologies that are most often encountered in clinical practice.