An improved de Vega tricuspid annuloplasty.

Constricting the tricuspid annulus to an optimal size and ensuring competency of the suture in situ are essential to the performance of a successful de Vega annuloplasty. An approach to this goal is presented. Important maneuvers include placement of the inside suture just on the ring portion, use of a 33 mm of 35 mm valve obturator to obtain an annulus of the desired size, and ligation of the knots at their roots to prevent potential loosening.