Repair of a dysplastic tricuspid valve using artificial chordae: case report

Atrioventricular valve repair with artificial chordal replacement has been widely used for congenital and acquired mitral valve abnormalities, but not for tricuspid valve abnormalities. A case is presented of dysplastic tricuspid valve that was successfully repaired using artificial chordae. A 2-year-old female presented with poor weight gain. Echocardiography revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation due to dysplastic tricuspid valve, poor coaptation by prolapse of the anterior leaflet, and tethering of the septal leaflet by short chordae. The prolapsed anterior leaflet was repaired with three pairs of 6-0 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures. The short chordae of the septal leaflet were detached, and the septal and posterior leaflets were sutured together. Trivial tricuspid regurgitation was noted postoperatively. There was no tricuspid regurgitation during the follow up period of three years. The present case provides further evidence that artificial chordal replacement is a useful technique even for small children with congenitally abnormal tricuspid valves.