Tricuspid atresia in adults

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Congenital tricuspid atresia is rare in adults but incidence is rising.
• Successful pediatric palliative surgeries increase adult cases.
• Modern diagnostics and surgical techniques improve management.

Purpose of the Study:

• Update clinical features of adult tricuspid atresia.
• Evaluate diagnostic and surgical outcomes.
• Propose a new anatomic classification.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 18 adult patients with tricuspid atresia (age > 15).
• Analysis of clinical data, including angiography and previous surgeries.
• Left cineventriculography with long axial view for diagnosis.

Main Results:

• 12 patients had prior palliative surgery; ages ranged up to 45.
• Standard classification identified types I, II, and III; one unclassified.
• New classification proposed; 7 patients underwent further surgery, including Fontan-type procedures.
• 16 of 18 patients survived study, with 4 achieving balanced circulation without surgery.

Conclusions:

• Accurate anatomic diagnosis is crucial for surgical decisions.
• Optimizing pulmonary blood flow is key for prognosis.
• Adults with tricuspid atresia can have optimistic outcomes with appropriate management.