Tricuspid valve repair in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices

In patients with end-stage heart failure, severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) might be one of the signs of biventricular failure with subsequent need for biventricular support (biventricular assist device [BVAD]) or total artificial heart (TAH). However, tricuspid valve repair (TVR) may avoid BVAD or TAH implantation. Consecutive patients with TR of grade 3+ receiving either left ventricular assist device with concomitant TVR (group A, n = 7) or a BVAD/TAH (group B, n = 18) implanted in our institution between 2007 and 2010 were compared retrospectively. Intermacs (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) stage I, age less than 18 years, and postcardiotomy failure were the exclusion criteria. Preoperative parameters were similar in both groups. No differences in 30-day mortality (28.5% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.8), postoperative dialysis, intensive care unit (ICU) stay (35 vs. 22 days, p = 0.94), or ventilation time (15 vs. 13 days) were seen. Timing of discharge home was similar in both groups (42.8% after a median of 45 days vs. 50% after a median of 40 days [p = 0.78]). Six months after surgery, no significant TR was seen in group A. Right ventricular failure requiring mechanical support occurred in 14.2% (n = 1) in group A. In patients with TR of grade 3+, left ventricular assist device support combined with TVR showed comparable results with biventricular support with regard to short-term outcome. These results led to a change of our established ventricular assist device implantation strategy.