Isolated reoperation for tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery: technique evolution

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the isolated replacement and repair of severe tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery (LSVS) and to report the evolution of this surgical technique. METHODS: From January 2005 to August 2018, 118 patients underwent isolated tricuspid valve replacement (iTVR, n = 93) or repair (iTVr, n = 25) for severe tricuspid regurgitation after LSVS. The surgical protocol at our institution has significantly changed since 2015, implementing the right thoracotomy approach (95.5%) and peripheral cannulation strategy with the vacuum-assist single venous drainage technique (93.2%) with a concomitant enhancement in preoperative right heart function optimization. Patients were followed up for 32.5 +/- 34.6 (1.6-158.7) months. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 8.5% (8.6% in iTVR and 8.0% in iTVr, P = 0.924) with a significant decrease from 23.3% (2005-2014) to 3.4% (2015-2018) (P<0.001), which was associated with preoperative New York Heart Association functional class IV [odds ratio (OR) 14.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.68-80.90; P = 0.002] and anaemia (OR 6.60, 95% CI 1.03-42.22; P = 0.046). After adjusting the logistic regression model, the vacuum-assist single venous drainage technique was also associated with lower operative mortality and composite adverse outcomes. The overall 1- and 5-year survival rates were 91.5% (95% CI 84.8-95.3%) and 77.9% (95% CI 60.0-88.3%), respectively, and no difference was found between the iTVR and iTVr groups (P = 0.813). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated tricuspid valve reoperation for severe tricuspid regurgitation after LSVS is historically a high-risk procedure, but satisfactory results are achievable with advanced surgical techniques and improved perioperative management. Bioprosthetic iTVR is a reliable alternative for severe tricuspid regurgitation after LSVS.