De vega tricuspid valve vnnuloplasty:long-term results

Background: Incontrary to ring-annuloplasty techniques, Tricuspid valve repair (TVR) using the De Vega method remains underexplored. Data regarding the long-term durability of this technique remains undetermined.

Methods: The data of 53 patients undergoing De Vega TVR between 2006 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients were grouped by the degree of preoperative tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Long-term echocardiographic data were analyzed.

Results: Preoperative severe TR was present in 2% of the patients; moderate TR in 51% the remaining patients had significant tricuspid annular dilatation and mild TR 47%. Preoperative moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension were present in 7.5% and 51% of the patients, respectively. Additional mitral valve replacement/repair, aortic valve replacement, and bypass surgery were performed in 89%, 26% and 43%, respectively. Residual TR on discharge-echocardiography was no TR, mild TR, and moderate TR in 57%, 28% and 16%, respectively. Late postoperative echocardiography assessment was performed at mean 66±40 months postoperatively (range, 18 to 158 months). Residual or recurrent TR at late echo-assessment was detected in the following distribution: no TR, mild TR and moderate TR in 28%, 64%, and 8% of the patients, respectively.

At long term follow up significant reduction in TR level was found in 64% of the patients.

Conclusions: De Vega TVR annuloplasty is a simple and rapid procedure with low cost and good long-term durability in patient with at most moderate tricuspid regurgitation.