De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty: analysis of 195 patients

In the years 1984-1989, 195 De Vega tricuspid annuloplasties were performed in association with mitral or mitral-aortic valve procedures. Preoperatively, 9 patients (4.6%) were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 124 (63.6%) were in class III, and the remaining 62 (31.8%) were in class IV. Tricuspid insufficiency was recognized by routine digital palpation of the tricuspid valve during the operation in 42 (21.5%) of the patients. Hospital mortality rate was 7.6% (15 patients). Late deaths occurred in 6 (3.0%) cases during a follow-up period of 3 to 72 months (mean 42 months). 8 patients (4.1%) required reoperation. Tricuspid annuloplasty failure was observed in 4 patients (2%). These valves were replaced with biological valves in three patients and with a mechanical valve in one patient. 112 of the survivors (64.3%) were evaluated by echocardiography and/or right ventriculography. Analysis of postoperative data showed that in 84 of the 112 patients (75%) tricuspid regurgitation disappeared completely after annuloplasty, 88% of surviving patients were in functional class I or II. For the series presented actuarial survival rate at 6 years was 79.1% +/- 14.4%. In the light of this study we recommend De Vega's annuloplasty as the method of choice for moderate to severe functional tricuspid insufficiency.