A Morishita1, M Kitamura, S Noji, S Aomi, M Endo, H Koyanagi. 1. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Fukuyama-shi, Tokyo, Japan. atsumori@gol.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although some surgeons prefer to use artificial valve rings for tricuspid valve annuloplasty, we have mainly performed De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation, because it is a simple and effective technique for reducing tricuspid regurgitation due to annular dilatation. We evaluated long-term results of the De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty up to 19 postoperative years. METHODS: Between January 1980 and June 1999, 408 patients underwent De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty. Long-term results after De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 14 (3.4%) early deaths within 30 postoperative days. There were 63 (15.4%) late deaths during the follow-up period. The actuarial survival rate at 15 years after operation was 74.0%, the 15-year freedom from re-operation was 91.6%, and the 15-year freedom from all events was 58.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty was an effective and reliable procedure of choice for secondary tricuspid regurgitation with annular dilatation.
BACKGROUND: Although some surgeons prefer to use artificial valve rings for tricuspid valve annuloplasty, we have mainly performed De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation, because it is a simple and effective technique for reducing tricuspid regurgitation due to annular dilatation. We evaluated long-term results of the De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty up to 19 postoperative years. METHODS: Between January 1980 and June 1999, 408 patients underwent De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty. Long-term results after De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 14 (3.4%) early deaths within 30 postoperative days. There were 63 (15.4%) late deaths during the follow-up period. The actuarial survival rate at 15 years after operation was 74.0%, the 15-year freedom from re-operation was 91.6%, and the 15-year freedom from all events was 58.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty was an effective and reliable procedure of choice for secondary tricuspid regurgitation with annular dilatation.