A single-size band, 50 mm long, for tricuspid annuloplasty

A technique for tricuspid annuloplasty is presented, using a flexible 50mm long band, where the annular circumference is reduced to a fixed value of 78.5mm (circumference of #25 mm sizer). From June to February 2007, 15 consecutive patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) underwent tricuspid repair using this technique. The first suture is passed at the level of the anteroseptal commissure, the last one in the zone of the septal annulus, 28.5mm from the first one. The remaining sutures are passed as usual. All the sutures are then adapted to a 50mm long band. After a mean of 5.4 months from surgery, all patients are alive and asymptomatic. One patient showed residual 2/4 TR, due to enlarged RV with high pulmonary pressure despite a well functioning mitral prosthesis. Mean gradient across the tricuspid valve was 2.5+/-0.4 mmHg. This technique for tricuspid repair is simple and reliable, providing effective and reproducible results.